Oral Vaccine, WASH Efforts Effective Tools To Control Cholera Outbreaks

Healthline News: Cholera Risk Remains High Today, but Vaccine Can Control Epidemic
“In spite of an estimated three million to five million cases of cholera each year in the world, officials at the World Health Organization (WHO) are confident this potentially deadly disease can be controlled. The fight against cholera relies upon a careful combination of two oral cholera vaccines alongside conventional control measures such as planning earlier for cholera outbreaks, teaching people about the signs of the disease, and improving public hygiene…” (Radcliffe, 7/6).

U.N. News Centre: U.N.: cholera outbreaks can be controlled thanks to vaccines, water and sanitation
“Use of oral vaccines is proving to be an effective tool to control outbreaks of cholera, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said [Monday], adding that the deadly water-borne disease is a major public health concern from Tanzania to South Sudan, and Nepal to Yemen. … The use of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) must be both supported by local authorities and used hand-in-hand with focused, sustainable water and sanitation actions in targeted communities, the agency recommends in a press release…” (7/6).

VOA News: WHO: Cholera Vaccine Helps Control Deadly Disease
“…An oral cholera vaccine has been around since 1991, [and] has been given mainly to travelers, but funding from international agencies has allowed WHO officials to dip into stockpile of two million doses of the vaccine for use in high-risk places. WHO cholera expert Dominique Legros says the vaccine is proving to be an efficient tool to control outbreaks effectively, and that he expects increased production of the vaccine in coming years, with up to three million doses available for use in endemic hotspots and emergency situations…” (Schlein, 7/6).

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