Climate Change Fuels Cholera Outbreaks Amid Devastating Storms

Due to the increasing impact of climate change, there has been a rise in cholera cases, particularly in regions prone to more frequent and intense storms. In early 2022, Malawi experienced the displacement of nearly 200,000 people after being hit by two tropical storms, Ana and Gombe, within a month. The storms caused significant devastation to homes, crops, and infrastructure in southern Malawi during an already heavy rainy season.

Subsequently, cholera, which is typically endemic in Malawi during the rainy season (from December to March), evolved into an outbreak. The disease usually remains confined around Lake Malawi in the south, resulting in about 100 deaths each year. However, due to the storms, cholera spread throughout the dry season, affecting Malawi’s northern and central regions. By early February of the following year, the outbreak had peaked at 700 cases per day, with a fatality rate three times higher than usual, claiming over 1,600 lives in a 12-month period – the largest outbreak in the country’s history.

Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms like Ana and Gombe, which, along with displacement of people, exacerbated the spread of cholera. The World Health Organization reported that climate change has aggravated the global upsurge of the disease since 2021, with 30 countries experiencing outbreaks in 2022, 50% more than in previous years. The storms acted as “risk multipliers,” worsening the situation in regions already facing challenges in water and sanitation infrastructure.

Climate change affects cholera outbreaks not only through floods and storms but also due to hotter temperatures and prolonged droughts. The destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure plays a significant role in increasing the risk of cholera transmission. Additionally, drought-related crop failures and malnourishment have reduced immunity to diseases in drought-affected regions like the greater Horn of Africa.

Although climate change contributes to cholera outbreaks, it is essential to consider other factors as well, such as the introduction of new strains and population immunity. In Malawi’s case, the outbreak happened after a period of relative calm in exposure to the disease, and a newly introduced strain from Asia may have played a role.

The global surge in cholera led to a vaccine shortage at a time when it was most needed. To cope with the shortage, the vaccination protocol was modified to reduce protection from two years to about five months. This highlights the urgent need for investing in water and sanitation infrastructure as a critical strategy to prevent cholera outbreaks.

In response to the cholera outbreak, Malawi faced challenges due to an economic crisis, COVID-19, and a polio outbreak, which further strained limited health resources.

Malawi’s response to the outbreak was partially successful, thanks to vaccination efforts, distribution of water tablets and supplies, and educational campaigns. However, there are concerns about underreporting of cases due to a change in reporting methods and the potential for another large outbreak if response efforts are withdrawn prematurely.

As climate change continues to intensify, there is a growing realization that humanitarian agencies cannot continue with business as usual. Preparedness and mitigation efforts are essential to address the potential impact of future cyclones and flooding events.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about cholera outbreak

More about cholera outbreak

• As temperatures rise, mosquitoes are also on the move. Scientists worry that could mean more malaria
• Dangerous fungus is becoming more prevalent. Scientists believe climate change could be to blame
• Cases of tick-borne illnesses are on the rise. Some experts believe climate change is the cause
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• AP’s climate initiative