Threats and outbreaks of cholera in Africa amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a double burden on Africa’s health systems
Olivier Uwishema, Melody Okereke, Helen Onyeaka, Mohammad Mehedi Hasan, Deocles Donatus, Zebadiah Martin, Lawal Abdulwahab Oluwatomisin, Melissa Mhanna, Adesipe Olaoluwa Olumide, Jeffrey Sun, Irem Adanur
Abstract
Every year, about 4 million cases and 143,000 deaths due to cholera are recorded globally, of which 54% were from Africa, reported in 2016. The outbreak and spread of cholera have risen exponentially particularly in Africa. Coupled with the recent emergence of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) in Africa, the local health systems are facing a double burden of these infectious diseases due to their cumulative impact. In this paper, we evaluate the dual impact of cholera and COVID-19 in Africa and suggest plausible interventions that can be put in place to cushion its impact.