WHO reports 30% spike in global cholera deaths across 47 countries
Seven countries, which include Angola, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen, accounted for about 90% of reported cases and deaths.
SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a 30% increase in cholera deaths globally in 2025, despite fewer cases being reported, highlighting persistent gaps in prevention and access to care.
According to surveillance data published in the latest Weekly Epidemiological Record, 47 countries reported 451,499 cholera cases and 7,870 deaths to WHO during the year.
WHO said the figures represent reported cases rather than the actual global burden, which is believed to be considerably higher because many infections go unreported.
Seven countries, which include Angola, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen, accounted for about 90% of reported cases and deaths.
The WHO African Region recorded a 34% increase in cases and a 58% increase in deaths compared with 2024.
Cholera prevention and treatment
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said the increase in deaths underscores the need for greater investment in safe water, sanitation and hygiene, alongside surveillance, vaccination, community engagement and access to quality treatment.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by Vibrio cholerae and is generally transmitted through food or water contaminated with faecal matter.
Although preventable and treatable, severe dehydration can become fatal without prompt treatment.
WHO reported that more than one in five cholera deaths in 2025 occurred outside health facilities.
Among patients treated in health facilities, the global case fatality rate remained below 1%, although it exceeded 1% in 12 countries.
Vaccine availability has also expanded.
Global production of oral cholera vaccines increased from about 30 million doses in 2022 to approximately 80 million doses in 2025.
The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision approved 71 million doses for affected countries in 2025, including 20 million for preventive vaccination, which resumed after a suspension lasting more than three years.
Meningitis remains a regional concern
WHO also reported continued bacterial meningitis activity across Africa’s meningitis belt, which stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia.
In 2025, 24 of the region’s 26 countries reported 21,526 suspected cases and 971 deaths, representing a 4.5% fatality rate.
Among countries reporting data for both years, suspected cases fell by 5.9% from 2024. Vaccination remains an important component of meningococcal meningitis prevention.
WHO said serogroup A cases have declined by more than 99% among vaccinated populations since introducing the meningococcal A conjugate vaccine in 2010.
A five-serogroup meningococcal vaccine, Men5CV/MMCV, is now being introduced for outbreak response and preventive campaigns. Niger became the first country to conduct a nationwide campaign with the vaccine in 2025.
Plague surveillance
WHO recorded 3,847 suspected human plague cases and 423 deaths across 10 countries between 2019 and 2025.
Six countries reported confirmed cases, with most infections reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar, where plague remains endemic in some areas.
WHO said continued surveillance of rodent and other animal populations, combined with rapid outbreak response, remains important for early detection and limiting transmission.
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