| Abstract |
Cholera is on the rise with an estimated 1.4 billion people at risk in endemic countries and an estimated 3 million to 5 million cases
and 100,000-120,000 deaths per year worldwide.1 In many endemic countries, children under 5 account for more than half of the global incidence and deaths. Cholera has remained endemic in some Asian countries for centuries, has become endemic in an increasing number of African countries with epidemics throughout the years, and has recently returned to the Americas with on- going transmission in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. New, more virulent and drug-resistant strains of Vibrio cholerae continue to emerge, and the frequency of large protracted outbreaks with high case fatality ratios has increased, reflecting the lack of early detection, prevention and access to timely health care. These trends are concerning, signal a growing public health emergency and
have gained the interest and investment of UNICEF at all levels. UNICEF currently provides strategic technical support and guidance, surge capacity, training, supplies and logistical support for cholera and diarrhoeal disease outbreak prevention, preparedness and response worldwide. Its multi-sector approach – health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, education, protection and other sectors as well as services for emergency operations and supply management– offers the possibility of an integrated effort towards risk reduction, preparedness, capacity building and response in cholera and diarrhoeal disease outbreaks. Multiple resources – both internal and external – are compiled and consolidated in this UNICEF Cholera Toolkit, to make them easily accessible and widely available for use by UNICEF and partners globally. [authors abstract]
|
