Cholera Strikes 23 African Countries Over 200,000 Cases

Cholera outbreaks are severely affecting nearly half of African countries in 2025, with over 205,000 cases reported continent-wide and mortality rates rising to 2.1 percent, worsened by poor sanitation and limited access to clean water in conflict-affected areas like South Sudan and Sudan. In Côte d'Ivoire, a cholera outbreak reemerged after 15 years, with 491 cases and 20 deaths by early August, spreading rapidly in overcrowded areas with limited sanitation, prompting a response from the Red Cross and partners. The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing a sharp increase in cholera cases, exceeding 38,000 with nearly 1,000 deaths across 17 provinces, fueled by flooding, displacement, and inadequate healthcare access. Surveillance data from 2011 to 2020 highlights the persistent and widespread nature of cholera outbreaks in Africa, exacerbated by environmental and socio-political factors. The World Health Organization warns of ongoing risks due to hunger, displacement, and disease, especially in Sudan where nearly 100,000 cases have been reported since July 2024. Efforts to combat the outbreaks are hampered by infrastructural deficits and conflict, underscoring the urgent need for improved water, sanitation, and healthcare services across affected regions.