The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a rise in cholera cases in various parts of the world. Since the beginning of the year, nearly 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths have been recorded in 24 countries.

WHO made this announcement on Thursday, June 20. The statement revealed that the Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest number of cases, followed by the African Region, the Region of the Americas, Southeast Asia Region, and the European Region.

WHO also mentioned that no cholera cases have been reported in the Western Region. The organization said it had run out of its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) by March but managed to surpass the emergency target of five million doses in early June for the first time in 2024.

However, the supply of the vaccine is not enough to meet the demand. Since January last year, 16 countries have requested 92 million doses of OCV, almost double the 49 million produced during that period.

WHO, along with UNICEF and other partners, is working to find long-term solutions to combat cholera.

Additionally, WHO announced on Thursday that Chad has successfully eradicated “sleeping sickness” as a public health issue.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, praised the Government and people of Chad for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness.

“I commend the government and the people of Chad for this achievement. It is wonderful to see Chad join the growing number of countries