WHO: Choléra Has Caused 3,018 Deaths Across 28 Countries Through September

More than three thousand people have died from cholera worldwide during the first nine months of the year, according to data released on Tuesday, November 10, by the World Health Organization.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• Cholera has caused 3,018 deaths across 28 countries through September, with nearly nine out of ten fatalities recorded in Africa.
• 71 million vaccine doses were approved for international distribution in 2025 with Gavi’s support, and a massive cross-border immunization campaign is under way in the Congo River basin.
• Despite simple and inexpensive oral rehydration treatments, climate phenomena like El Niño and ongoing regional conflicts continue to threaten vulnerable populations.

Close to 309,000 cases of cholera or acute watery diarrhea were registered across 28 nations during this period. While mortality has decreased compared to the previous year, the infection continues to cause severe public health challenges. Seven states accounted for approximately 90% of cases and deaths in 2025: Angola, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.

The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the hardest-hit country. WHO data shows 1,564 deaths recorded in the DRC by September 27, followed by Nigeria with 467 deaths, Sudan with 264, Angola with 132, and Cameroon with 90.

Cholera Causes Rapid Dehydration Through Contaminated Food and Water

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Transmission occurs primarily through the consumption of contaminated water or food. Following an incubation period ranging from 12 hours to five days, the disease triggers profuse diarrhea and vomiting.

The primary clinical danger is rapid dehydration driven by a severe loss of water and mineral salts. While many infected individuals remain asymptomatic, severe cases can lead to death within hours if left untreated. The disease can kill rapidly despite being easily and cheaply treatable.

Simpler cases are managed successfully with oral rehydration solution. Severe cases require intravenous fluid replacement and occasionally antibiotics.

Authorities Launch Massive Vaccination Campaigns to Combat the DRC Epidemic

Public health authorities are scaling up immunizations to address the spread. Facing a surge of the epidemic in the DRC where the WHO recorded 60,000 cases of the disease at the end of October, a massive vaccination campaign began on Tuesday, November 3, aiming to immunize two million individuals in the western part of the DRC.

The initiative involves coordination between Kinshasa and Congo-Brazzaville across the Congo River. The campaign started on November 3 in Équateur province, continued in Mai-Ndombe on Tuesday, November 10, before reaching Kinshasa on November 24 in coordination with Brazzaville.

“Quand on vaccine le long du fleuve, agir sur une seule rive ne suffit pas,” said Didier Bompangué, WHO cholera referent in the DRC, regarding the transboundary strategy.

He added: “Si une vaccination de l’ensemble du corridor fluvial a déjà été réalisée à une petite échelle autour du Mai-Ndombe, dans la zone de Bolobo-Yumbi, il s’agit cette fois-ci d’une première du fait de la portée et de la dimension transfrontalière de l’opération.”

Operations target dispersed island settlements using motorized boats and community relays. However, intense seasonal rains linked to El Niño have complicated delivery efforts.

Didier Bompangué also stated: “On est entré dans la saison des pluies alors qu’on subit déjà les conséquences d’une année El Niño annoncée de longue date avec des pluies torrentielles et l’élévation du niveau des eaux,” and continued: “Dans les campements ciblés, les opérations auraient dû commencer pendant la saison sèche, mais les pluies ont démarré avec beaucoup d’intensité… c’est le défi climatique.”

Climate Pressures and Treatment Obstacles

Environmental factors heavily influence disease transmission. The ongoing El Niño climate phenomenon could exacerbate outbreaks, as cholera dynamics respond to both excess water from floods and water scarcity from droughts.

In the North-Kivu province, medical supplies have faced transit delays due to regional insecurity and logistical blockades. In the Katoyi health zone, declared in the second half of September, the epidemic now affects several health areas including Mangere, Biolo, Kirambo, Kikoma, and Mahya according to health authorities.

The previous year, 2025, marked the deadliest period for cholera since 1999, with nearly 7,900 deaths globally. Lorenzo Pezzoli, responsible for epidemic-potential bacterial diseases at the WHO, said that many victims died before reaching care, noting that the disease can “tuer en quelques heures, alors même qu’il est facile et peu coûteux à traiter grâce aux médicaments existants.”

Path to 2030 Elimination Targets

Despite ongoing obstacles, the WHO maintains its goal to reduce cholera deaths by 90 percent and eliminate the disease as a public health threat in at least twenty countries by 2030. Achieving this relies on expanded access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation, rapid clinical case management, and targeted vaccination.

The International Coordinating Group on vaccine provision approved 71 million doses for international distribution, backed by Gavi funding. Pezzoli said that “l’objectif fixé pour 2030 est réalisable, car le travail a déjà commencé,” while also adding: “La réponse collective porte indéniablement ses fruits, mais cela reste insuffisant. Nous devons redoubler d’efforts.”

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.