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Warning over return of 19th century disease after 4,332 deaths
Warning over return of 19th century disease after 4,332 deaths
There have been fatal outbreaks in 31 countries, according to the World Health Organisation
The bacterium Vibrio cholerae
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an alert over the rising number of cases of cholera after thousands of deaths. Cholera is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
It primarily spreads through contaminated water or food and causes severe watery diarrhoea, which can lead to dangerous dehydration and death if untreated. It thrives in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water. In the 1800s, cholera was one of the most feared diseases worldwide, causing several global pandemics with major outbreaks in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The global cholera situation continues to deteriorate, driven by conflict and poverty.
This year, more than 390,000 cholera cases and 4,332 deaths have been reported across 31 countries. WHO says the figures are underestimates, but they 'reflect a collective failure'.
A WHO spokesman said: "Cholera is preventable and easily treatable, yet it continues to claim lives. We are especially concerned about cholera in Sudan, Chad; in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; South Sudan; and Yemen. In all these countries, conflict is fuelling cholera.
"One year after the start of the outbreak in Sudan, cholera has reached every state. This year alone, there have been nearly 50 000 (48 768) cases and over 1000 (1094) deaths reported, with a high fatality rate of 2.2%, exceeding the 1% threshold which indicates adequate treatment."
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While cases have plateaued or decreased in some areas, including Khartoum, they are rising in the Darfur region, and affecting neighboring Chad.
The rainy season has started and is expected to worsen, WHO has stepped up its response in the Darfur region and neighbouring Chad, anticipating worsening sanitation and flooded roads which will affect access both for aid workers and supplies.
A spokesman said: "Working alongside partners, we've established national and local task forces, deployed rapid response teams for surveillance, and stockpiled essential cholera supplies in the region. Thanks to joint efforts, 17 cholera treatment centres with a total capacity of 670 beds are operational in Darfur. We have strengthened surveillance, trained health workers on clinical care and infection control, funded water quality testing and are coordinating cross-border public health efforts with Chad.
"But violence and bureaucracy are blocking access. Large parts of Darfur and Kordofan remain unreachable.
"Since December, oral cholera vaccine production has hit record levels - 6 million doses monthly, the highest since 2013 - thanks to new formulations. But record production has been outpaced by record demand.
"Since January, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG) has received 38 requests from 12 countries—triple the number compared to the same period last year. Already this year, over 40 million doses have been allocated, compared to 35 million doses allocated in all of 2024. "
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, over 44 521 cases and 1238 deaths have been reported this year, mostly in the conflict-affected east. In South Sudan, there have been nearly 70,310 cases and over 1,158 deaths.
In Yemen, there have been over 60,794 cases and 164 deaths.
The spokesman said: "These figures have two things in common: one, they are too high, too many people have been affected, and two, they are driven by conflict. Conflict is forcing people to flee, often into crowded camps where water, sanitation and hygiene facilities are stretched. And the overall response is crippled with overextended human resources, gaps in data and serious funding shortfalls."
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WHO is urging governments and the international community to mobilise urgent funding, support the rapid deployment of vaccines and supplies, and safe access for aid workers and invest in long-term prevention through water and sanitation, and stronger surveillance systems.
The spokesman said: "No one should die because they don't have access to safe water."
