Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the global cholera crisis is continuing at an alarming pace, with 31 countries reporting outbreaks between January and August 2025.
According to the latest WHO update, 409,222 cases of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) have been recorded worldwide during this period, resulting in 4,738 deaths. The organization noted that the actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting and varying case definitions across countries.
Among the 31 affected nations, six have reported a case fatality rate above 1%, indicating serious gaps in treatment access and case management. The most severe outbreaks have been recorded in Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Sudan, where conflict, poverty, and mass displacement have compounded the crisis.
WHO emphasized that poor water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure remain the main drivers of cholera transmission. “The outbreak scale and severity remain concerning, with millions of people at risk in fragile and conflict-affected regions,” the agency stated.
The UN health body urged governments and international partners to strengthen surveillance, improve access to safe water, and ensure rapid medical response to contain the disease and reduce fatalities.
