Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 12, 2025 Healthcare
For the second year in a row, cholera mortality rates have been rising worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), both the number of people infected with the disease and the number of deaths from it are increasing.
The number of reported cholera cases in 2024 increased by 5 percent and the number of deaths by 50 percent compared to 2023. More than 6,000 people died from the disease, which is preventable and treatable.
Lack of clean water and hygiene products
Conflict, climate change, population displacement and chronic shortages of clean water and hygiene have contributed to the rise in cholera. The disease, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is spread through dirty water.
In 2024, cases were reported in 60 countries, and in 2023, in 45 countries. Cholera is most prevalent in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, which together accounted for 98 percent of all reported cases.
Outbreaks and fatality rates are growing
Cholera outbreaks continued to escalate in 2024, with 12 countries reporting more than 10,000 cases. The 2024 cholera outbreak in the Comoros Islands, which had not seen a case for 15 years, highlights the ongoing threat of global transmission.
In Africa, the cholera case fatality rate has increased from 1.4 percent in 2023 to 1.9 percent in 2024. A quarter of deaths occurred outside health facilities, highlighting serious gaps in access to treatment and weak health systems.
How to fight cholera
To combat cholera, governments, donors and communities need to ensure that people have access to safe water and hygiene, have accurate information on how to protect themselves, and provide prompt treatment and vaccination when outbreaks occur. Effective surveillance and diagnostics will help in this effort. Further investment in vaccine production is also needed.
The new innovative oral cholera vaccine (OCV), Euvichol-S®, was prequalified in early 2024. However, demand continued to outpace supply in both 2024 and 2025, WHO said.
The risk of spreading is very high.
Preliminary data show that the global cholera crisis continues into 2025, with outbreaks reported in 31 countries so far this year.
WHO assesses the global risk of cholera spread as very high and is taking urgent action to reduce deaths and contain outbreaks in countries around the world. The organization continues to support countries, including through enhanced surveillance measures, provision of medical supplies, and public information support.
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