Cholera 101: Why This Ancient Disease Is Making Headlines In 2019

Cholera is in the headlines again. Last fall, the World Health Organization declared an ongoing outbreak in Yemen the worst in recorded history, with more than 1 million cases. The outbreak first struck Yemen back in 2016, surged in May 2017 and has now flared up again. There have been more than 2,500 deaths so far.

"We have been confronted with a sharp increase since the beginning of this year," said Brienne Prusak of Doctors Without Borders (MSF). In that time, they've seen an increase from 140 to 2,000 cases per week to reach about 1.4 million cases since the outbreak began. Since January, the death toll has been 190.

Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, cases are surfacing in Mozambique and other affected countries. This week, the first death from cholera in Mozambique was reported in the city of Beira.

It's a reminder that an ancient disease – and one which is easily treatable — can still take a terrible toll in modern times.