A global cholera resurgence is claiming more lives than last year, despite a drop in reported infections, according to a new situation report from the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, released today, reveals that 211,678 cases and 2,754 deaths were reported from January to May 25 across 26 countries—spanning Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and South-East Asia.
In May alone, more than 52,500 new cholera and acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) cases were reported from 17 countries—a 35% spike compared to April. While this represents a 24% drop in infections from May 2024, cholera-related deaths more than doubled over the same period, rising by 122%.
The surge underscores the fragility of public health systems in conflict zones and climate-affected areas, where access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare remains limited. The African Region continues to bear the highest burden, with over 117,000 cases and nearly 2,500 deaths so far this year. South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Angola are among the hardest-hit nations.
In South Sudan alone, 51,054 cases and 973 deaths have been reported since the start of the year. The country recorded nearly 10,000 new cases and 190 deaths in May, the highest among all reporting nations. The DRC reported over 6,300 new cases and 128 deaths during the same period, driven by outbreaks in conflict-ridden provinces such as South Kivu, Tshopo, and Haut-Katanga.
Sudan saw a dramatic 278% jump in cases in May, with new infections rising to 6,806 and deaths increasing by 41%. The ongoing conflict in the country has damaged water infrastructure, delayed humanitarian responses, and left large swathes of the population without access to care.
“Cholera is thriving in the cracks of our global health system,” a WHO official said, noting that fragile surveillance systems, insufficient vaccines, and limited response capacity are exacerbating the crisis.
Despite an average monthly stockpile of 5.7 million Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) doses—above the emergency threshold—demand is outstripping supply. In the first five months of 2025 alone, 26 countries collectively requested 33 million doses, nearly triple the volume requested in all of 2024. Almost all vaccination campaigns this year have been single-dose due to constrained supply.
The WHO and its partners have deployed dozens of experts to affected countries, supported public health training, and coordinated cross-border surveillance and community engagement. But the response continues to be hampered by security concerns, funding shortfalls, and exhausted national health systems already stretched by other emergencies.
In Malawi, public frustration is rising in crowded markets where waste management and water access are poor. In the eastern DRC, misinformation around water chlorination is complicating efforts to control transmission. WHO reports that community trust is eroding due to inconsistent communication and a lack of locally tailored media engagement.
Cholera is often seen as a disease of the past, yet in 2025 it remains a deadly threat in many parts of the world. WHO is calling for greater investment in preparedness and prevention—including vaccine production, WASH infrastructure, and robust health systems—arguing that short-term responses alone cannot stop the recurring cycles of outbreak.
“This isn’t just a health issue—it’s a crisis of equity,” the WHO report notes. “Until the world commits to addressing the underlying drivers of cholera, millions will remain at risk.”
The global risk level for cholera remains “very high,” according to the WHO. An estimated one billion people are currently at risk.