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

Abstract

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

• Cholera
• COVID-19
• Africa
• Health system
• Double burden
• Pandemic