The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that as of April 2023, at least 30 countries are currently facing active cholera outbreaks, with an additional 20 countries at risk due to their geographical proximity to affected areas.

This alarming situation places over 1 billion people worldwide at direct risk of cholera, highlighting a severe public health crisis.

Pakistan is experiencing a resurgence of cholera, particularly linked to the ongoing 7th cholera pandemic, which has seen a significant increase in outbreaks between 2022 and 2023.

Cholera outbreaks in Pakistan have been especially prominent in 2022, affecting regions like Balochistan, Sindh, and southern Punjab, largely due to climate-induced disasters that have disrupted access to safe drinking water.

In 2022, thousands of suspected cholera cases were reported in flood-affected districts in Pakistan, prompting health alerts and emergency response efforts from the National Institute of Health (NIH).

The current cholera wave is described by the WHO as larger, deadlier, and more widespread than previous outbreaks, with high mortality rates and the disease spreading to areas previously considered cholera-free.

Cholera is caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae and can lead to death within hours if untreated, particularly in impoverished communities with inadequate sanitation and health systems.

Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts have exacerbated the cholera situation, increasing the prevalence of waterborne diseases like cholera.

Health experts emphasize that timely diagnosis and treatment with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCVs) can significantly reduce mortality, but inadequate investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure hampers these efforts.