WHO: cholera progresses in Africa, vaccine stock is running out

The international humanitarian organization Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) expressed concern on Tuesday following the recent announcement that the global stock of cholera vaccines is exhausted. 16 countries, most of which are in Africa, are affected by outbreaks of cholera, a serious acute diarrheal infection.

Daniela Garone, MSF's international medical coordinator, explains that Doctors Without Borders teams are facing a growing number of cholera epidemics, particularly in Ethiopia, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In Africa, more than 240,000 cases have been reported and at least 4,000 deaths since last year. The WHO has mobilized 140 additional experts in the region, 20 tonnes of emergency equipment and released 10 million dollars.

According to MSF, all doses of oral vaccines in production until mid-March have already been allocated, and the demand for doses continues to grow.

Cholera affects vulnerable communities already hit by the impacts of conflict and climatic factors such as floods and droughts. Forced to move, these populations often have to live in camps that have limited access to drinking water and health care.

 The global shortage of oral cholera vaccines has already prompted the WHO to reduce its standard vaccination strategy to a single dose, rather than two.