Africa Facing Worst Cholera Outbreak in 25 Years (Africa CDC)
Africa is facing its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, with an especially severe surge in Burundi and Angola, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned.
“More than 300,000 cholera cases have been recorded since the beginning of 2025, compared to around 254,000 last year, a 30% increase. Over the same period, cholera has also caused more than 7,000 deaths,” Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said Thursday during a press briefing.
Noting that cholera cases have been rising since 2022, Kaseya stressed that African governments “fully operationalize the cholera response plan launched in Zambia” to halt the spread.
“The plan, launched in the Zambian capital Lusaka in August, runs from September 2025 to February 2026, covering surveillance, case management, community engagement, logistics and vaccination,” he explained.
He added that “Angola and Burundi have seen cases surge in recent weeks, a situation linked to fragile water infrastructure.”
The Africa CDC chief recalled that “without access to clean drinking water, it becomes extremely difficult to contain the disease,” affirming that his institution is working with governments to improve water access and strengthen health responses.
Cholera, a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water or food, is currently affecting 23 African countries.
