WHO Raises Alarm as Cholera Spreads Across 31 Countries
The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm over the worsening global cholera crisis, warning that deaths are rising sharply despite fewer reported cases. The outbreak, fueled by conflict, flooding, and poverty, has spread across Africa and the Middle East, leaving fragile health systems under immense pressure.
According to WHO, at least 4,738 people have died from cholera and Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) between January and mid-August 2025. This surge in deaths comes even though overall cases dropped by 20% compared to the same period in 2024. The agency said fatalities have increased by 46%, pointing to poor case management and delays in accessing treatment.
Africa has been hit the hardest, recording more than 3,700 deaths with a case fatality rate of 2.2% — more than double the global emergency threshold of 1%. Countries like Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are at the center of the crisis, where overstretched health systems are struggling to cope with expanding outbreaks.
The WHO stressed that the lack of clean drinking water, poor sanitation, and weak hygiene practices remain the biggest drivers of cholera. It warned that the risk of further spread across borders remains very high. Flood-affected and rural communities face the greatest danger, as many patients cannot access lifesaving rehydration and antibiotics quickly enough.
“Every delayed hour in getting treatment can mean the difference between life and death,” a WHO official warned, adding that six countries are already recording fatality rates above the emergency benchmark.
In response, WHO and the Africa CDC have launched a Continental Cholera Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, supported by a joint Incident Management Team. The plan will strengthen surveillance, expand access to treatment, and scale up oral cholera vaccination campaigns.
African leaders have pledged to eliminate cholera by 2030, making it a priority on the continent. However, health experts caution that without urgent investment in water, sanitation, and healthcare systems, progress will stall, and preventable deaths will continue to rise.
“Cholera is resurging in countries that had not seen outbreaks in years. This is a wake-up call. Without clean water and coordinated action, the death toll will keep climbing,” WHO warned.
