The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised a clarion call regarding an unprecedented cholera outbreak that has swept across the continent, now recognized as the most devastating in a quarter-century.

As we reach this critical point, there have been over 300,000 suspected cases and more than 7,000 tragic fatalities reported across various regions of Africa in 2025.

This alarming surge in cholera cases starkly highlights the deep-rooted vulnerabilities within public health systems and essential infrastructure in numerous countries.

The outbreak is particularly distressing in areas where access to clean drinking water, proper sanitation, and dependable healthcare is severely compromised, often driven by the dual pressures of armed conflict and mass population displacement, all exacerbated by chronic poverty.

Cholera outbreaks have been reported in over 15 countries, with severe hotspots emerging in East Africa, the Great Lakes region, and Southern Africa. In response to this crisis, several governments have declared public health emergencies, igniting mass vaccination campaigns and rallying international support.

Urgent efforts are underway to ensure access to clean water, establish treatment centers, and distribute vital sanitation supplies to the most devastated areas.

Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa CDC, underscored the grave nature of the crisis, declaring, “This tragic yet preventable outbreak serves as a poignant reminder that cholera remains an ever-present peril wherever access to clean water and sanitation is lacking.”

He emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in WASH—water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure—and for strengthening disease surveillance systems to avert further calamity.

Humanitarian organizations have issued critical warnings about the potential for the outbreak to spiral out of control, especially in regions housing large displaced populations or embroiled in ongoing conflicts. They caution that without sustained funding and robust global support, the consequences could be catastrophic, further deepening the suffering of vulnerable communities already facing daunting challenges.

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