The agency's Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest number of cases, followed by the Africa Region, the Americas Region, the Southeast Asia Region and the European Region.
No cases were reported in the Western Pacific region, it said in a bulletin issued Wednesday.
Vaccines and resurgence
The UN health agency said it exhausted its global stockpile of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in March, but was able to surpass “the emergency target of five million doses by early June for the first time in 2024.”
However, the supply of the vaccine does not equal its demand.
The WHO reported that since January last year, 16 countries have ordered 92 million OCV doses, almost double the 49 million produced during that time.
WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other partners are working together to use resources to find long-term solutions to cholera.
Sleeping sickness eliminated in Chad
On the positive side of health news, the WHO announced Thursday that Chad has successfully eradicated “sleeping sickness” as a public health problem.
The agency applauded the Government and people of Chad for eradicating the Gambian form of human African trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness).
“I congratulate the government and people of Chad on this achievement. “It is fantastic to see Chad join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD),” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Goal within reach
By eliminating the disease, Chad joins 50 other countries around the world that have succeeded in this endeavor.
“The target of 100 countries is closer and within reach,” Tedros added, referring to the target set in the roadmap to address neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
Sleeping sickness may initially cause flu-like symptoms, but eventually causes behavioral changes, confusion, sleep cycle disturbances, or even coma, often leading to death.
Better access to early diagnosis and treatment, as well as surveillance and response, has shown that countries can control and eventually eliminate transmission.
