Cholera Outbreaks in Africa Surge as Death Toll Exceeds 2,400

Cholera outbreaks in Africa have led to over 2,400 deaths in 2025, primarily affecting South Sudan, DRC, Angola, and Sudan. The Africa CDC reports 115,513 cases in total, emphasizing the need for coordinated responses and improved water access. Experts stress that long-term solutions must target the underlying causes, including sanitation and conflict resolution.

A recent report from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) indicates a severe cholera crisis on the continent, with casualties exceeding 2,400 since the start of 2025. As of mid-May, the total number of cholera cases reached approximately 115,513. The countries hit hardest include South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, and Sudan, with South Sudan bearing the brunt of the fatalities, having recorded 848 deaths.

In an online briefing, Yap Boum II, the deputy incident manager for mpox at the Africa CDC, labeled the situation as “severe.” Notably, these four countries represent an astonishing 84 percent of reported cases and a staggering 92 percent of total deaths in 2025. Boum stressed the urgent need for coordinated regional responses to combat this outbreak effectively.

Boum also highlighted the link between cholera’s spread and the lack of access to clean, safe water, which has been exacerbated by overwhelmed health infrastructures across many African nations. As cholera outbreaks coexist with other public health emergencies, the situation remains fraught.

On a brighter note, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, Principal Advisor to the Africa CDC Director General, indicated that the framework established for addressing mpox might be adapted to tackle cholera. “Lessons learned from the mpox response, especially the need for close collaboration with other partners, will now be applied to fighting cholera,” he stated.

A broader picture emerges when considering data from UNICEF, which reports over 178,000 cholera cases confirmed across 16 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa from January 2024 to March 2025, leading to more than 1,600 deaths. Angola, the DRC, South Sudan, and Sudan combined account for over 90 percent of these reported cases. Many experts attribute the escalating number of cholera cases to underlying conflicts in these regions.

To combat this health crisis, the Africa CDC has plans to enact lessons from previous disease responses via the Incident Management Support Team (IMST). This collaborative structure has been developed alongside the WHO and includes partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The approach aims to unify efforts across various health fronts.

Under Ngongo’s guidance as incident manager, praise has been directed towards this coordinated approach to disease management. He notes, “We’ve shifted toward an integrated strategy that also includes the care of measles and chickenpox, referencing new methods being integrated to tackle multiple health threats.” The IMST aims to bolster resources in surveillance and laboratory capabilities to manage ongoing and future outbreaks.

Unfortunately, despite these cohesive strategies, public health experts continuously remind us that we must address the fundamental causes of cholera, focusing on improving water quality, sanitation, and hygiene. Insecure conditions brought on by conflict remain barriers to tangible progress in affected regions.

Additionally, Ngongo highlighted the pressing need for a stronger African pooled procurement mechanism intended to enhance the local production of cholera vaccines, which have been in short supply as of late.

In summary, Africa is experiencing a significant cholera surge, with over 2,400 deaths reported this year. The crisis is particularly severe in South Sudan, DRC, Angola, and Sudan, which account for the majority of cases and deaths. Collaboration is essential, and strategies developed from previous disease responses are being employed to combat this crisis. However, systemic issues such as inadequate water access and ongoing conflicts must also be addressed to effectively mitigate this public health threat.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke