Cholera transmission is closely linked to inadequate environmental management. Typical at-risk areas include peri-urban slums, where basic infrastructure is not available, as well as camps for internally displaced persons or refugees, where minimum requirements of clean water and sanitation are not met.
The consequences of a humanitarian crisis – such as disruption of water and sanitation systems, or the displacement of populations to inadequate and overcrowded camps – can increase the risk of cholera transmission should the bacteria be present or introduced. Dead bodies have never been reported as the source of epidemics.
Cholera remains a global threat to public health and a key indicator of lack of social development.
The number of cholera cases reported to WHO continues to be high. During 2013, a total of 129 064 cases were notified from 47 countries, including 2102 deaths. The discrepancy between those figures and the estimated burden of the disease is due to the fact that many cases are not recorded for due to limitations in surveillance systems and fear of trade and travel sanctions.