Africa's cholera crisis exacerbated by extreme weather events
- Africa is facing its worst cholera crisis due to extreme weather conditions.
- The combination of tropical storms, floods, and drought has worsened hunger and displacement in the region.
- The lack of lifesaving vaccines is contributing to the severity of the situation.
In southern and East Africa, many people have died and many cases of cholera have been reported since late 2021. Malawi and Zambia have had their worst outbreaks ever. The outbreaks in southern Africa are linked to cyclones and floods that hit Malawi in late 2021 and early 2022, spreading cholera bacteria to new areas. After flooding in Kenya and other parts of East Africa, cholera cases appeared. Africa has had eight times more deaths this year than the Middle East. Africa is at higher risk due to climate change and El Niño. Cholera is a disease that spreads where there is poor sanitation and no clean water. The World Health Organization says there is a shortage of cholera vaccines globally. In Zimbabwe, a drought made worse by El Niño has caused cholera outbreaks in rural areas and crowded cities. It is important to notice signs of illness early and seek medical help. It is crucial to have access to clean water to prevent cholera.