World cholera threat underestimated

Thursday March 1st, 2012

The world-wide problem of cholera is ten times greater than official figures show, researchers have warned.

As many as 100,000 people a year die from the disease - and some three million experience infection, according to the study in the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation.

The figures are ten times the official statistics reported to WHO.

The researchers say some 1.4 billion people are at risk from the infection.

Researcher Dr Mohammad Ali, of the International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea, "Many deaths in developing countries probably occur before patients reach the hospital so statistics are likely to be underestimated.

"If cases are not reported then resources cannot be allocated to deal adequately with the disease. Policymakers need to know the burden of disease and the population at risk."

The problem is rife in Africa and southern Asia - with China, India and Indonesia all having problems of endemic disease.

And all of Bangladesh is at risk because of frequent, widespread flooding, they say.

Dr Claire Lise Chaignat, from WHO, said: "Many countries do not have adequate laboratory and surveillance systems to detect cholera.

"Countries are also reluctant to report outbreaks due to fear of a negative effect on tourism and trade."

The Bulletin of the World Health Organisation March 2012

Tags: Africa | Asia | Gastroenterology | MRSA & Hygiene | World Health

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