The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a troubling trend in the global cholera situation for 2025, noting that while the number of recorded cases is declining, deaths attributable to the disease are on the rise. Between January 1 and August 17, 2025, approximately 409,222 cholera and Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases were reported across 31 countries, resulting in 4,738 deaths. This represents a 20% decrease in cases compared to the same period in 2024 but a 46% increase in mortality, highlighting grave deficiencies in treatment and timely access to care.
Africa bears the greatest burden, with 3,763 reported deaths and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 2.2%. Countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Chad, and the Republic of Congo continue to experience widespread outbreaks exacerbated by conflict, displacement, poor water and sanitation infrastructure, and climate-related disasters.
WHO emphasizes that without urgent, coordinated public health responses including enhanced surveillance, improved case management, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, vaccination campaigns, and cross-border cooperation cholera outbreaks are likely to expand and remain difficult to control.
The African CDC and WHO recently launched a Continental Cholera Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan 1.0 as part of heightened efforts to control and eventually eliminate cholera outbreaks by 2030, a commitment made by African Heads of State in a high-level call to action.
Safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene remain the only sustainable long-term solutions to ending the global cholera emergency. WHO continues to collaborate with national health ministries, partners, and stakeholders to bolster cholera control measures worldwide.