Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 14:00 –15:00 (CEST)
Background
Cholera remains a major public health threat and an indicator of inequitable access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene and quality healthcare. Although preventable and treatable, it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations in fragile and humanitarian settings, with risks compounded by conflict, rapid urbanisation, climate change and recurrent natural disasters.
WHO estimates that 1.3–4 million cholera cases occur globally each year, causing 21,000–143,000 deaths while under-reporting and limited surveillance obscure the true burden. The resurgence of large, prolonged and complex outbreaks underscores the need for stronger preparedness, early detection, rapid response and resilient health systems.
The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC)’s Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030 aims to reduce cholera deaths by 90% and eliminate cholera in at least 20 countries by 2030. Safe, resilient treatment facilities are essential to this goal. Well-designed Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs), Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs) and Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs), supported by robust Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, enable timely care, reduce transmission, protect healthcare workers and maintain essential services.
This EPI-WIN webinar introduces the latest WHO guidance on the design, construction and WASH requirements of safer cholera treatment facilities.
Objectives
The objectives of the webinar are to:
- Present the key technical updates and evidence underpinning the revised guidance on Cholera Treatment Facility Design and Construction Standards (2026) and WHO Technical Note on WASH and IPC in Cholera Treatment Facilities and Healthcare Facilities (2026);
- Strengthen understanding of minimum standards for the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance of cholera treatment facilities;
- Promote harmonized implementation of the updated guidance across countries and implementing partners; and
- Facilitate technical exchange through the sharing of country experiences, operational lessons learned, and best practices.
Agenda and Speakers
Introduction of EPI-WIN, housekeeping, introduction to topic and speakers and slido: Brian Yau, Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
Welcome remarks: Lorenzo Pezzoli, Lead, Emerging Zoonoses & High Impact Epidemics (EZH), Epidemic and Pandemic Management (EPM), WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE)
2026 Technical Note: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in Cholera Treatment Facilities and Healthcare Facilities – Key updates and implementation considerations:
Nosheen Usman, Technical Officer, IPC WASH, Humanitarian and Disaster Management (HDM), WHE
Christine Marie George, Professor, Department of International Health, Program in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
2026 Cholera Treatment Facility Design and Construction Standards – Key updates, design principles, planning considerations, and operational implications: Jordi Sacristan, Technical Officer Health Logistics and WASH, Operations and Logistics, WHO headquarters
Malawi and Ethiopia Country experience: Pierre-Yves Oger, WASH Specialist (Public Health Emergencies), UNICEF Headquarters, and key panelists' reactions
Questions & Answers & Closing
Margaret Montgomery, Team Lead for WASH in health care settings, WHO headquarters
Tendai Makamure, WASH Consultant
Registration