The global cholera crisis is worsening in both scale and severity, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in its latest epidemiological update. Between January 1 and August 17, 2025, more than 409,000 cases of cholera and acute watery diarrhea were reported across 31 countries, with 4,738 deaths. While the total number of cases has decreased by 20 percent compared to the same period in 2024, the number of deaths has risen by 46 percent, signaling critical shortcomings in access to treatment and healthcare infrastructure.
According to WHO data, six countries have reported case fatality rates of more than 1 percent, an indicator of poor access to prompt medical care. The average fatality rate across the affected countries is currently 1.2 percent, well above the acceptable threshold of less than 1 percent in emergency settings. Cholera remains a public health emergency in numerous countries where outbreaks are linked to inadequate sanitation, disrupted water supply systems and the displacement of populations due to conflict.
Africa continues to bear the brunt of the outbreak. The WHO African Region accounted for the majority of cholera-related deaths this year, with 3,763 fatalities and an average case fatality rate of 2.2 percent. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, cases rose sharply in July, with 8,308 new infections and 400 deaths. This represented a 41 percent increase in cases and a 107 percent increase in deaths compared to June. Since the beginning of the year, the DRC has recorded 42,760 cases and 1,212 deaths, with a fatality rate of 2.8 percent.
In South Sudan, cholera cases also surged in July, with 6,740 new infections and 66 deaths. The country’s total for 2025 now stands at 70,516 cases and 1,173 deaths, with a fatality rate of 1.7 percent. WHO officials noted the spread of cholera in areas where healthcare access remains limited, and displacement continues to strain local health systems. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 212,433 cases and 936 deaths have been reported so far in 2025. In July alone, 47,652 new cases were documented in Afghanistan, Yemen and Sudan.
Regional analysis shows impact of conflict on outbreaks
Although a slight reduction in deaths was noted during July, the overall burden remains high, particularly in Sudan where the situation is compounded by conflict and limited access to clean water. Sudan has reported nearly 99,700 suspected cholera cases and over 2,470 deaths since July 2024. Health facilities are operating under extreme pressure, especially in areas such as North Darfur’s Tawila region, where displacement and poor sanitation have fueled transmission.
Humanitarian organizations on the ground are providing treatment and support but report challenges due to infrastructure damage and ongoing violence. Vaccination campaigns have been deployed in several countries in response to the outbreak. In Sudan, a 10-day cholera vaccination campaign was recently launched in Khartoum, targeting high-risk communities. The campaign is part of a broader public health response aimed at limiting transmission, particularly in areas affected by displacement and overcrowding.
Displacement linked to disease spread in conflict zones
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the global risk of cholera as very high. Cholera is a highly contagious bacterial disease that spreads through contaminated water or food and can cause severe dehydration or death without prompt treatment. WHO has reiterated the importance of improving water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in affected areas and strengthening healthcare delivery systems to reduce mortality.
As of August 2025, cholera outbreaks remain active across multiple continents, with the most severe impacts observed in regions experiencing humanitarian crises and limited access to essential health services. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with local governments, international organizations, and aid agencies to scale up emergency response, improve surveillance, and implement effective control measures. – By Content Syndication Services.