INTRODUCTION

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection characterized, in its severe form, by extreme watery
diarrhea and potentially fatal dehydration. It is caused by the ingestion of food or water
contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period, ranging
between two hours and five days. Most people will develop no or only mild symptoms; less than
20% of ill persons develop acute watery diarrhoea with moderate or severe dehydration and are
at risk for rapid loss of body fluids, dehydration, and death. Despite being easily treatable with
rehydration solution, cholera remains a global threat due to its high morbidity and mortality in
vulnerable populations with a lack of access to adequate health care. (WHO, 2O22)
International
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cholera remains a global threat to public
health, with an estimated 1.3 to 4.0 million cases and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths annually
worldwide. Cholera is mainly endemic in Africa and South Asia, but outbreaks can occur in any
part of the world where there is inadequate access to safe water and sanitation facilities.
National
The Philippines Department of Health has reported 6,062 cumulative cholera cases through
December 3, 2022, an increase of 288 percent compared to the same period in 2021 (1,563).
Six out of 10 cases were reported from the Eastern Visayas region (3,744), which includes the
following six provinces: Biliran, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern
Leyte. In addition to the Eastern Visayas, outbreaks of cholera has been reported this year in
localized in the Western Visayas, Calabarzon and Davao. The number of cholera deaths in
2022 year has increased 430 percent, from 13 in 2021 to 69 this year. (NEWS Desk, 2022)