Cholera Death Toll in Africa Exceeds 2,400 with South Sudan Hit Hardest
Cholera outbreaks in Africa have led to over 2,400 deaths, with South Sudan, DRC, Angola, and Sudan severely affected. The Africa CDC reports 115,513 cases, with South Sudan at the forefront of deaths. A coordinated response is being planned, drawing from strategies used in addressing the mpox outbreak. Public health experts stress the importance of improving water quality and sanitation.
As of mid-May 2025, cholera outbreaks across Africa have claimed over 2,400 lives, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). A total of 115,513 cholera cases have been recorded throughout the continent, with South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, and Sudan identified as the most affected nations. South Sudan leads with the highest number of deaths, totaling 848.
Cholera has struck hard in South Sudan, the DRC, Angola, and Sudan, which together account for a staggering 84% of reported cases and a significant 92% of the fatalities this year. During an online media briefing, Yap Boum II, the deputy incident manager for mpox at Africa CDC, labeled these outbreaks as severe. Alongside South Sudan, Angola and DRC have also seen considerable mortality, reporting 609 and 513 deaths respectively.
Access to clean water is a crucial factor contributing to the cholera spread, with Africa CDC attributing its prevalence in these regions partly to inadequate health systems. As the world grapples with several health crises, the cholera epidemic underscores the need for urgent intervention. Boum advocated for a “coordinated regional and continental response” to combat the outbreak effectively.
The Africa CDC is deploying strategies previously used in the successful mpox response to tackle cholera. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, Principal Advisor, emphasized collaboration with multiple partners is essential in these efforts. Notably, UNICEF indicated that from January 2024 to March 2025, over 178,000 cases were confirmed across 16 nations in eastern and southern Africa, culminating in more than 1,600 deaths.
Conflict has exacerbated conditions in the affected regions, notably in Angola, DRC, South Sudan, and Sudan, which collectively comprise over 90% of reported cholera cases. The agency is determined to adopt the successful structure established during the mpox response, leveraging partnerships with organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Under Ngongo’s leadership, the Incident Management Support Team (IMST) has seen success in coordinating responses to complex health challenges. This integrated strategy encompasses related diseases, with plans to bolster surveillance and laboratory capacity as well. Ngongo acknowledged, “We are now strengthening the key pillars to address ongoing outbreaks, including cholera.”
Public health experts remind stakeholders that improving water quality, sanitation, and hygiene will be vital in combating cholera in the long term. Furthermore, Ngongo advocated for an enhanced African pooled procurement mechanism focused on local cholera vaccine production, pointing to ongoing shortages in recent years.
As the cholera crisis continues, significant challenges remain, particularly due to ongoing conflict and insecurity in many regions, which hinder progress towards effective public health solutions.
In summary, the ongoing cholera outbreaks in Africa have resulted in over 2,400 fatalities and highlight critical public health challenges, particularly in South Sudan, the DRC, Angola, and Sudan. With a coordinated response required urgently, the Africa CDC plans to apply lessons from previous outbreaks, especially mpox, to fight cholera. Strengthening infrastructure for clean water access and improving vaccine production capacity remains pivotal as nations concurrently address these critical public health emergencies.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
