Cholera | A resurgence coupled with a shortage of vaccines

A resurgence of cholera cases is currently affecting several countries around the world. And due to a shortage of vaccines, we give only one dose per person instead of two, in order to protect as many people as possible… in the short term. State of play.

Andre Duchesne
The Press

What is cholera?

“Cholera is an infection caused by bacteria that exist in many forms, some of which produce toxins that make people sick,” says Dr.^D Marie-Sarah Gagné-Brosseau, neurology specialist attached to the Summit Health travel clinic in Montreal. Cholera results in diarrhea and vomiting of varying intensity which can lead to death in the most severe cases. “It can be so intense that people will become dehydrated and die within 24 to 36 hours,” adds the D^D Gagne-Brousseau.

How can we be reached?

“The main source is contaminated water and anything that has been in contact with this water, such as raw fruits and vegetables, undercooked seafood, among others,” continues the D^D Gagne-Brosseau. However, in recent months, various factors have had the effect of reducing access to drinking water sources, whether floods, droughts or population displacements, say aid organizations.

In Haiti

In Haiti, the situation is serious. “We have now exceeded 1000 suspected cases [1010], including 73 confirmed cases. It’s a real disaster,” said Bruno Maes, UNICEF representative in Haiti in an interview with The Press. “The first cases were limited to the western department, namely Port-au-Prince and its metropolitan area. But there, the cases spilled over into three other departments: Center, Artibonite and Nippes. And more than half of the cases are children under the age of 14.” The country also records 17 deaths.

Elsewhere in the world

Syria has been affected since the end of September, a first since 2009. The disease has crossed the border with Lebanon, where 1.5 million Syrian refugees live. Since October 6, Lebanon has recorded 169 cases. Add 5 deaths. In Kenya, authorities confirm around 60 cases in six counties, including the capital, Nairobi. Also in Africa, 39 cases and 3 deaths have been reported in Minawao refugee camp, Cameroon. Somalia is hit by both a large-scale famine and several cases of cholera among children.

In 29 countries

As of October 19, cases of cholera have been reported in 29 countries around the world, according to UN Info, the news site of the United Nations. “In comparison, in the previous 5 years, less than 20 countries on average had reported such outbreaks,” it says. The organization adds that “more numerous, more widespread and more severe epidemics” are to be expected in the near future.

Shortage of vaccines

There is also a shortage of vaccines in the world. As a result, the International Coordinating Group (ICG) dedicated to combating epidemics has temporarily suspended its vaccination schedule and reduced the number of vaccines per person from two to one. “Faced with an outbreak, one of the ways to reduce the deterioration of the situation is to vaccinate the general population. It is in this context that vaccination is reduced to one dose, explains D^D Gagne-Brosseau. In the short term, two months, a person who receives only one dose is just as well protected. So it makes sense to be able to give the vaccine to more people. On the other hand, the vaccine quickly loses its effectiveness and must be renewed. According to the UN News website, immunity against infection lasts for three years if two doses are taken within six months or less.

In Canada in the 19th^e century

In Canada, cholera is “a rarely diagnosed disease”, with 40 cases between 2007 and 2016, we read on the Canadian government website. In the 19th^e century, it was more problematic. Some know the history of Grosse-Île which, located in the St. Lawrence estuary, was a quarantine place for immigrants from 1832 to 1947. Thousands of people died there of cholera following epidemics from 1832 to 1834. In 1847, an epidemic of typhus also led to the death of thousands of people.

And if you travel?

What if you are an aid worker or need to travel to one of the affected countries? We take the two doses of the oral vaccine before leaving, indicates the D^D Marie-Sarah Gagne-Brosseau. And once vaccinated, people should remain cautious. “Cholera is one bacterium among many others; it is important to drink drinking water and ideally bottled water. »

With Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, UN News and canada.ca