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. 2021 Nov 24;49(1):93.
doi: 10.1186/s41182-021-00376-2.

Threats and outbreaks of cholera in Africa amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a double burden on Africa's health systems

Olivier Uwishema  1   2   3 , Melody Okereke  4 , Helen Onyeaka  5 , Mohammad Mehedi Hasan  6 , Deocles Donatus  7   8 , Zebadiah Martin  7   9 , Lawal Abdulwahab Oluwatomisin  7   10 , Melissa Mhanna  7   11 , Adesipe Olaoluwa Olumide  7   12 , Jeffrey Sun  13   14 , Irem Adanur  7   15
Affiliations

Threats and outbreaks of cholera in Africa amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a double burden on Africa's health systems

Olivier Uwishema et al. Trop Med Health. .

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.

Keywords: Africa; COVID-19; Cholera; Double burden; Health system; Pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A summary of challenges, priorities, and recommendations for the restriction of cholera pathogen amid the COVID-19 pandemic
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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