The Africa Centres for Disease Control has said that reports of widespread cholera outbreaks across countries in Africa could be linked to climate change.
Malawi, Nigeria and Sudan are reported to be facing severe outbreaks of cholera.
The health body said that it has noticed a pattern of environmental changes that have led to a surge in cases, adding that Kenya has emerged as the latest African country dealing with a cholera outbreak.
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Acting director of the ACDC, Dr Ahmed Ogwell said that the current wave of flooding, particularly in West and Central African countries could increase the rate of infections in the continent.
In his reaction, Kenya’s director general of health, Dr Patrick Amoth, said that the “situation is likely to worsen especially in drought-prone areas.
“This is because ‘bacteria tend to multiply faster in warmer areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has “reduced the two-dose cholera vaccine to a1 single dose due to a supply shortage.” The single dose will offer limited protection.
Story was adapted from tv360.
