African leaders have called for increased local vaccine production as cholera cases surge across the continent.
This call was made during a virtual high-level emergency meeting on cholera, organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and attended by heads of state from Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has accounted for two-thirds of global cholera cases this year, and 99 per cent of cholera-related deaths.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, speaking at the virtual summit, urged Africa to optimise existing vaccine supplies through earlier detection and more effective vaccination campaigns.
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He also stressed that cholera is a symptom of deeper challenges, including systemic failures in water, sanitation, healthcare, governance, and equity.
The Africa CDC highlighted that over 90 per cent of vaccines, medicines, diagnostic tests, and other essential health supplies used across Africa are imported, leaving countries vulnerable to global trade disruptions and logistical delays.
Among the 20 countries reporting outbreaks this year, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola have been the worst affected.
Cholera, a waterborne bacterial disease, causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration, and can be fatal within hours if untreated, even in otherwise healthy individuals.
