SEAToday.com, Geneva - World Health Organization (WHO) official Kate O'Brien stated that the worldwide cholera outbreaks are linked to climate change, Tuesday (3/19).

Speaking at WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), O’Brien explained that cholera is related to clean water and clean sanitation. According to her, with the current global climate change, rising population and humanitarian crises, immunization becomes essential to prevent the disease.

"I think we do have to acknowledge the cholera outbreaks that are ongoing are deeply linked to climate change in emergency situations, conflict situations, and we have raised the alarm on cholera," said O'Brien.

WHO has seen a rising trend in cholera cases since it doubled between the 2021-2022 period from 223,370 cases to 472,697 cases. In 2023, a total of over 700,000 cases were reported with 5,586 deaths. Meanwhile, as of February 2024 WHO received a report of 37,269 new cholera cases from 20 countries.

WHO, along with International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision called for an immediate action to the surge, through a multisectoral response of the affected countries.