Threats and outbreaks of cholera in Africa amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a double burden on Africa\u2019s health systems

Olivier Uwishema,Irem Adanur,Deocles Donatus,Helen Onyeaka,Lawal Abdulwahab Oluwatomisin,Adesipe Olaoluwa Olumide,Mohammad Mehedi Hasan,Melody Okereke,Jeffrey Sun,Zebadiah Martin,Melissa Mhanna

doi:10.1186/s41182-021-00376-2

Abstract

Every year, about 4 million cases and 143,000 deaths due to cholera are recorded globally, of which 54% were from Africa, reported in 2016. The outbreak and spread of cholera have risen exponentially particularly in Africa. Coupled with the recent emergence of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) in Africa, the local health systems are facing a double burden of these infectious diseases due to their cumulative impact. In this paper, we evaluate the dual impact of cholera and COVID-19 in Africa and suggest plausible interventions that can be put in place to cushion its impact.

Highlights

While Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus II, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, is infecting and killing hundreds of African citizens, the impact of cholera, neglected due to the pandemic, is still rising very significantly
As of April 2020, an increased number of cases was reported following a flood caused by heavy rainfalls, with the cumulative attack rate increasing to 26 persons per 100,000 by 2021 [8]. These findings suggest the role of naturally occurring events such as a flood in spreading the outbreak, but on the other hand, this presents critical failure of healthcare system response to cholera outbreak which occurred mainly during COVID19 era
While the focus is on COVID-19, efforts such as improving water supply investment and sanitation, encouraging the use of oral cholera vaccines, strengthening cross-border surveillance, government, and stakeholder collaboration are necessary to counter the burden of cholera

Summary

Introduction

While Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus II, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, is infecting and killing hundreds of African citizens, the impact of cholera, neglected due to the pandemic, is still rising very significantly. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lack of access to humanitarian aid and an increased pressure on health systems in cholera-endemic countries, making it impossible to handle two or more simultaneous outbreaks due to lack of capacity in personnel and supplies [7]. The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have experienced challenges in dealing with the recent cholera outbreaks in many African Countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic as it has Uwishema et al Tropical Medicine and Health (2021) 49:93 added an extra burden on the already existing, limited resources [8, 9].

Results

Conclusion