Photo: WHO/L. Pezzoli
Cholera Spreads in 60 Nations, Urgent Action Needed
Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) today reported a troubling rise in cholera cases and deaths for the second year in a row, with 2024 seeing a 5% increase in reported cases and a 50% surge in deaths compared to 2023. Over 6,000 people died from cholera last year, a disease that can be prevented and treated, though these figures likely underestimate the true toll.
Cholera, caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, spreads through water contaminated by faeces. The WHO points to ongoing issues like conflict, climate change, population displacement, and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene systems as key drivers of the disease’s spread. In 2024, 60 countries reported cholera cases, up from 45 the previous year. Africa, the Middle East, and Asia accounted for 98% of these cases.
The disease’s reach grew in 2024, with 12 countries each reporting over 10,000 cases. Seven of these faced large outbreaks for the first time that year. Notably, Comoros saw cholera return after more than 15 years without reported cases, highlighting the disease’s potential to spread globally.
In Africa, the case fatality rate climbed from 1.4% in 2023 to 1.9% in 2024, signalling weaknesses in healthcare systems and barriers to accessing basic medical services. A quarter of cholera deaths happened outside health facilities, pointing to significant gaps in treatment access and the need for stronger community outreach.
The WHO stressed that tackling cholera requires ensuring access to safe water, hygiene facilities, and timely treatment, alongside accurate public information and vaccination during outbreaks. Strong surveillance and diagnostics are also critical to guide these efforts. The organisation called for more investment in vaccine production to meet demand.
A new oral cholera vaccine, Euvichol-S®, was approved in early 2024 and added to the global stockpile, helping maintain emergency reserves above 5 million doses for the first half of 2025. However, high demand led to a continued single-dose regimen instead of the standard two doses. In 2024, 61 million vaccine doses were requested from the stockpile, with 40 million approved for emergency use in 16 countries. Despite this, supply shortages persisted into 2025.
Preliminary data for 2025 show cholera outbreaks in 31 countries so far. The WHO considers the global cholera risk very high and is working urgently to reduce deaths and contain outbreaks. This includes supporting countries with better surveillance, case management, prevention measures, medical supplies, field coordination with partners, and community engagement efforts.
– global bihari bureau
