Cholera prevention and control in Asian countries.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Global Health Security

Background:

• Cholera persists as a significant global health challenge, particularly in endemic regions.
• Suboptimal control is attributed to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, insufficient health literacy, and weak national/international cooperation.
• The Initiative against Diarrheal and Enteric Diseases in Africa and Asia (IDEA) convened experts to address these challenges.

Observation:

• A 2017 meeting in Hanoi brought together experts from 10 Asian countries, WHO, NIH, IVI, AMP, Save the Children, and UNICEF.
• Discussions focused on current cholera prevention and control interventions, including WASH, surveillance, and oral cholera vaccine deployment.
• The meeting aimed to assess country-specific situations and identify critical gaps in cholera management.

Findings:

• Key challenges identified include deficiencies in WASH infrastructure, surveillance systems, and the implementation of oral cholera vaccines.
• Gaps in national cholera control plans and cross-border collaboration were highlighted as significant impediments.
• Varying levels of progress in prevention and control interventions were reported across participating countries.

Implications:

• Strategic interventions are needed to bridge identified gaps in cholera prevention and control.
• Enhanced national plans and strengthened cross-border collaborations are crucial for effective cholera management.
• The findings underscore the need for continued international cooperation and resource allocation to combat cholera in endemic areas.