In 2022, the Southeast African nation of Malawi faced one of its most devastating public health crises. Nearly 200,000 Malawians were displaced, and over 1,600 lives were tragically lost due to an unprecedented outbreak of cholera following the catastrophic aftermath of two tropical storms. The cholera outbreak, which peaked alarmingly at 700 cases per day, marked the largest in the country’s history. Furthermore, its spread was unusually extensive, reaching even during the dry season and penetrating northern and central regions.
The destructive forces at play are not merely a fluke of nature. Instead, they underscore the far-reaching impacts of climate change. The frequency and intensity of storms like Ana and Gombe are escalating due to climate change, which in turn is leading to a global surge in cholera. In fact, the year 2022 saw cholera outbreaks reported in 30 countries, marking a 50% increase from previous years.
The tropical storms in Malawi resulted in flash floods that wreaked havoc on the country’s infrastructure. Sewage was spread into water sources, sanitation facilities were destroyed, and the delivery of essential supplies was severely hindered. These conditions significantly exacerbated the cholera outbreak.
The global surge in cholera has also resulted in an unfortunate vaccine shortage. This has necessitated a change in the vaccination protocol, reducing the recommended dosage from two to one. Consequently, the protection period has been cut from two years to about five months.
The connection between cholera and climate change is more than circumstantial. Climate change creates ideal conditions for the spread of the cholera bacteria, Vibrio cholerae, and is contributing to an increase in cases worldwide. In 2020, more than 1.4 million cholera cases and 2,500 deaths were reported globally. However, these figures are likely an underestimation due to rampant underreporting.
Looking ahead, the prospects are grim if current trends persist. Climate change is projected to cause a 50% increase in cholera cases by 2030. The situation in Malawi serves as a stark reminder of the intertwining crises of climate change and public health, emphasizing the urgent need for global action on both fronts.
