The Africa Centres for Disease Control now says that cholera outbreaks reported in several African countries could be linked to climate change.
Africa CDC says it has noticed a pattern of environmental changes that has led to a surge in cases.
Kenya is now the latest African country dealing with a cholera outbreak.
Dr Patrick Amoth, Kenya’s director general of health, says the situation is likely to worsen especially in drought-prone areas. This is because bacteria tend to multiply faster in warmer areas.
Malawi, Nigeria and Sudan are all facing outbreaks of cholera.
Dr Ahmed Ogwell, the acting director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control, says the number of countries affected could go up, due to heavy flooding in several countries in West and Central Africa.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has reduced the two-dose cholera vaccine to a single dose due to a supply shortage. The single dose will offer limited protection.
