Worst Cholera Crisis : Congo
UNICEF said that since 2017, a spike in conflict and displacement in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is pushing children into the worst cholera crisis.
- Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
- It remains a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.
- It is an extremely virulent disease that can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea.
- The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate sewage and drinking water treatment.
- There are three WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines (OCV), Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus.
- All three vaccines require two doses for full protection.
UNICEF:
- UNICEF stands for the United Nations Children’s Fund.
- It is a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to providing humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.
