The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday that cholera outbreaks are escalating globally, with more than 400,000 cases identified in 2025 across 31 affected countries.
“The global cholera situation continues to deteriorate,” the WHO emphasized, highlighting that this decline is exacerbated by “conflicts and poverty.”
The agency pointed out that “conflict, mass displacement, disasters from natural hazards, and climate change have intensified outbreaks, particularly in rural and flood-affected areas, where poor infrastructure and limited healthcare access delay treatment.”
From January 1 to August 17, there were a total of 409,222 cholera/Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) reported cases and 4,738 deaths worldwide. While the number of cases has decreased by 20% compared to the same period last year, the death toll has risen by 46%.
Cholera is re-emerging in countries that have not experienced significant case numbers for years, such as Congo and Chad. Currently, these nations report some of the highest mortality rates in the world, at 7.7% and 6.8%, respectively.
Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country, is the most severely impacted territory globally, with over 2,400 deaths recorded in the past year across 17 of its 18 states, according to UNICEF.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal infection, is caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. Although it can be effectively treated through rehydration and antibiotics in severe cases, if left untreated, it can lead to death within hours.
