Cholera remains uncontrolled in the South Africa. There is a lack of vaccines and there are nearly 670,000 infections and 4,000 deaths, almost double that of the previous year. The WHO estimates that there are one billion people at risk of infection. The outbreak began in October due to floods and natural disasters that have given impetus to this bacteria that contaminates the water.

When the anger enters such a small body like that of a baby, all the alarms go off. If the child also suffers from malnutrition, something that unfortunately happens all too often, the end becomes complicated. “He is eleven times more likely to die from a disease before the age of five and one of those diseases may be cholera,” says Blanca Carazo, from Unicef.

The lack of food weakens them and the loss of fluid causes their body to become dehydrated. There is little time to react and many more vaccines are needed. Carazo points out that there are three vaccines approved by the WHO, but they are not normally included in vaccination schedules.

Nearly 50 countries have already confirmed cases of cholera, a new consequence of the pandemic and climate change. “When there is a cyclone, it dislodges infrastructure and causes feces,” he explains. Susanna Oliverfrom World Vision International.

Haiti, South Sudan, Malawi, Lebanon or Zambia They are some of the most affected countries. In the latter already About 400 people have died and there are more than 10,000 infected. Its capital, where there are the highest number of cholera cases, has enabled its football stadium as a hospital campaign, says the aforementioned source.

The truth is that preventing cholera is simple: bleach to disinfect, soap and drinking water. But this is something that, in certain contexts, is difficult to achieve and its absence can lead to death.