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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| First global pledge to end cholera by 2030 | First global pledge to end cholera by 2030 |
| (1 day later) | |
| Health officials from around the world are meeting in France to commit to preventing 90% of cholera deaths by 2030. | Health officials from around the world are meeting in France to commit to preventing 90% of cholera deaths by 2030. |
| The disease, which is spread through contaminated water, kills about 100,000 people every year. | The disease, which is spread through contaminated water, kills about 100,000 people every year. |
| It is the first time governments, the World Health Organization, aid agencies and donors have made such a pledge. | It is the first time governments, the World Health Organization, aid agencies and donors have made such a pledge. |
| It comes as Yemen continues to fight one of the worst cholera outbreaks on record. | It comes as Yemen continues to fight one of the worst cholera outbreaks on record. |
| Cholera has been spreading in the war-torn country due to deteriorating hygiene and sanitation conditions and disruptions to the water supply. | Cholera has been spreading in the war-torn country due to deteriorating hygiene and sanitation conditions and disruptions to the water supply. |
| More than 770,000 people have been infected with the disease, which is easily treatable with the right medical equipment, and 2,000 have died. Many of the victims are children. | More than 770,000 people have been infected with the disease, which is easily treatable with the right medical equipment, and 2,000 have died. Many of the victims are children. |
| These huge outbreaks tend to grab the headlines, but there are also frequent outbreaks in so-called cholera "hotspots". | These huge outbreaks tend to grab the headlines, but there are also frequent outbreaks in so-called cholera "hotspots". |
| Disease of the poor | Disease of the poor |
| Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. | |
| It can spread quickly and widely in cramped, dirty conditions. | It can spread quickly and widely in cramped, dirty conditions. |
| The infection is cheap to treat with rehydration salts, and easy to avoid altogether if people have access to clean water and decent toilet facilities. | The infection is cheap to treat with rehydration salts, and easy to avoid altogether if people have access to clean water and decent toilet facilities. |
| But about two billion people globally lack access to clean water and are potentially at risk of cholera, according to the World Health Organization. | But about two billion people globally lack access to clean water and are potentially at risk of cholera, according to the World Health Organization. |
| The UN health agency says weak health systems, and outbreaks not being detected early enough also contribute to the rapid spread of outbreaks. | The UN health agency says weak health systems, and outbreaks not being detected early enough also contribute to the rapid spread of outbreaks. |
| Dr Dominique Legros, who heads up the WHO's cholera programme, told the BBC: "We can't keep seeing these huge outbreaks every year. | Dr Dominique Legros, who heads up the WHO's cholera programme, told the BBC: "We can't keep seeing these huge outbreaks every year. |
| "We have the tools at hand to prevent them, so let's use them. | "We have the tools at hand to prevent them, so let's use them. |
| "If you provide water and sanitation, it's enough to stop the transmission of cholera. | "If you provide water and sanitation, it's enough to stop the transmission of cholera. |
| "We've seen that today in countries like Senegal, where we have been able to stop transmission." | "We've seen that today in countries like Senegal, where we have been able to stop transmission." |
| Cholera is a disease of the poor, and building basic infrastructure for communities costs money. | Cholera is a disease of the poor, and building basic infrastructure for communities costs money. |
| However, there is no expectation of any major pledges of cash at Tuesday's meeting. | However, there is no expectation of any major pledges of cash at Tuesday's meeting. |
| 'Badge of shame' | 'Badge of shame' |
| The charity Wateraid estimates it would cost $40 (£30) per person to provide water, sanitation and hygiene. | The charity Wateraid estimates it would cost $40 (£30) per person to provide water, sanitation and hygiene. |
| Its chief executive, Tim Wainwright, says that is "surprisingly affordable". | Its chief executive, Tim Wainwright, says that is "surprisingly affordable". |
| "Looking around the world, the map of cholera outbreaks is essentially the same as a map of poverty and marginalisation. | "Looking around the world, the map of cholera outbreaks is essentially the same as a map of poverty and marginalisation. |
| "The fact that this preventable disease still sickens 2.9 million people every year and kills 95,000 people is a global badge of shame." | "The fact that this preventable disease still sickens 2.9 million people every year and kills 95,000 people is a global badge of shame." |
| The oral cholera vaccine is another important part of the fight against this enduring disease. | The oral cholera vaccine is another important part of the fight against this enduring disease. |
| It only offers protection for up to 3 years. But in situations where outbreaks are highly likely, it can save thousands of lives. | It only offers protection for up to 3 years. But in situations where outbreaks are highly likely, it can save thousands of lives. |
| Some 900,000 doses of the vaccine are currently being sent to refugee camps in Bangladesh where almost half a million Rohingya Muslim refugees are gathering in squalid conditions after fleeing violence in neighbouring Myanmar, also known as Burma. | Some 900,000 doses of the vaccine are currently being sent to refugee camps in Bangladesh where almost half a million Rohingya Muslim refugees are gathering in squalid conditions after fleeing violence in neighbouring Myanmar, also known as Burma. |
| "The vaccine alone doesn't solve the problem, the water and sanitation is a more long-term solution," said Dr Seth Berkley, chief executive of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations. | "The vaccine alone doesn't solve the problem, the water and sanitation is a more long-term solution," said Dr Seth Berkley, chief executive of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations. |
| "In the interim, we need to work to ensure we are doing both." | "In the interim, we need to work to ensure we are doing both." |
| Northern Europe and the US managed to eliminate cholera 150 years ago. | Northern Europe and the US managed to eliminate cholera 150 years ago. |
| Tuesday's pledge aims to, finally, achieve that goal for some of the world's poorest people. | Tuesday's pledge aims to, finally, achieve that goal for some of the world's poorest people. |
| Estimated global annual cholera cases: | Estimated global annual cholera cases: |
| Source: Johns Hopkins University | Source: Johns Hopkins University |