NAIROBI, Kenya – Cholera infections across Africa have more than doubled this year, with outbreaks now reported in 25 countries and nearly 3,000 people dead, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The continental health agency says five countries — South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, Nigeria and Sudan — account for almost 88 per cent of all reported cases, underscoring the uneven but devastating spread of the disease.
In a statement, Africa CDC warned that the outbreak has escalated into a major public health emergency, driven by fragile health systems, conflict, climate shocks and poor access to clean water.
“The scale and severity of the cholera outbreak this year are alarming, with nearly 3,000 additional deaths reported across 25 African countries,” the agency said.
The situation is particularly dire in Sudan, the DRC, South Sudan and Angola, which together have recorded more than 85 per cent of all cholera-related deaths reported in 2025.
Ongoing conflict, mass displacement and flooding have worsened transmission in several of the hardest-hit countries.
In response, African leaders have elevated cholera to a continental political priority. Africa CDC announced the formation of a unified task force and the rollout of a new strategy aimed at tackling the disease beyond the health sector.
“Cholera is not only a medical issue; it is a leadership, infrastructure, and water-sanitation challenge,” the agency said, stressing the need for coordinated action across governments.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
If left untreated, it can kill within hours. Symptoms usually appear between 12 hours and five days after exposure and may include severe diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, muscle cramps, rapid heartbeat and dangerously low blood pressure.
Globally, cholera remains a major public health threat, with an estimated 1.3 million to 4 million cases and up to 143,000 deaths reported each year.
Africa CDC noted that while some infected individuals may show no symptoms, untreated cases can quickly become fatal.
The agency has urged governments to strengthen disease surveillance, improve access to safe water and sanitation, and scale up rapid response efforts to contain the outbreak.
“Without coordinated action, cholera will continue to pose a serious threat to public health and development across Africa,” Africa CDC warned.
