Cholera Outbreak in Yemen Largest and Fastest

Cholera serogroup O1 risk reduced by Vaxchora vaccine
Travel (Precision Vaccinations News)

The cholera epidemic has already spread faster than any outbreak since modern records began, and is now the largest in history. 

As of October 10, 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 815,314 suspected cases, and 2,156 deaths in Yemen this year.

At current pace, ‘Save the Children’ estimates the total cholera caseload in Yemen is likely exceed to one million by December, 2017.

Of those people infected, 25% of the cholera cases are children under the age of five.

Children with acute malnutrition are at least three times more likely to die from diarrheal diseases, such as cholera.

Tamer Kirolos, Save the Children’s Country Director for Yemen, said “Cholera only rears its head when there’s a complete and total breakdown in sanitation. All parties to the conflict must take responsibility for the health emergency we find ourselves in.”

“The tragedy is both malnutrition and cholera are easily treatable if you have access to basic healthcare services, such as vaccination,” said Kirolos.

Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is rare in the USA.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend overseas travelers use Vaxchora for active immunization against cholera.

Vaxchora is a single-dose, live oral cholera vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016 for prevention of cholera caused by serogroup O1.

Two other oral cholera vaccines, Dukoral and ShanChol are available outside of the USA.

These vaccines require two doses and can take weeks to confer immunization protection according to the CDC.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector vaccine prices for general information.

Vaccine discounts can be found here.

 

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