Cholera is back but the world is looking away (19 January 2023)

Summary

To overcome this preventable disease we need to invest in failing infrastructure and tackle humanitarian crises at cholera’s roots, says Petra Khoury in this BMJ article.

Once thought to be close to eradication, cholera is back—dehydrating and killing people within hours and ravaging communities across six continents. Despite the alarming numbers of cases and deaths over the past year, decision makers are averting their eyes, leaving people to die from a preventable and treatable disease.

The healthcare community should sound the alarm for immediate actions. A strong and global emergency response is urgently needed, but it is only a first step. More than ever the world must invest in water and sanitation systems and prepare communities before outbreaks occur.