Cholera deaths surge globally despite available prevention tools

Cholera claimed more lives in 2024 for the second consecutive year, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting a 50% increase in deaths and a 5% rise in cases compared to 2023.

Over 6,000 people died from cholera in 2024, a disease that is both preventable and treatable, according to the WHO’s latest global cholera update.

These official figures are likely underestimates due to limited surveillance and underreporting, the agency warned.

Sixty countries reported cholera cases in 2024, up from 45 in 2023, with Africa, the Middle East, and Asia accounting for 98% of the total.

Twelve countries each reported more than 10,000 cases, including seven nations that experienced large outbreaks for the first time.

Among the most concerning developments was the resurgence of cholera in Comoros, which had not reported an outbreak in over 15 years.

The rising toll is attributed to conflict, climate change, displacement, and longstanding deficiencies in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure.

Cholera is caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, which spreads through water contaminated by feces, often during crises that disrupt access to clean water and health services.

In Africa, the case fatality rate rose from 1.4% in 2023 to 1.9% in 2024, reflecting significant weaknesses in healthcare delivery and emergency response.

WHO data show that 25% of global cholera deaths occurred outside health facilities, indicating serious gaps in access to treatment and community-based care.

“Cholera is a preventable disease, and no one should die from it,” WHO has reiterated in its campaign to strengthen country-level responses.

To fight cholera effectively, WHO urges governments, donors, and communities to prioritize access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene, accurate public information, vaccination, and rapid treatment.

Improving surveillance and diagnostics is also essential to guide outbreak response and save lives.

A new oral cholera vaccine (OCV), Euvichol-S®, received WHO prequalification in early 2024 and helped stabilize the global stockpile above the emergency threshold of 5 million doses for the first half of 2025.

Despite this, vaccine supply continues to lag behind growing demand, forcing the continued use of a single-dose regimen throughout 2024 and into 2025.

In 2024, countries requested 61 million OCV doses, and WHO approved 40 million for emergency use in 16 countries under reactive campaigns.

Preliminary 2025 data show that cholera remains a serious threat, with 31 countries already reporting outbreaks since January.

WHO continues to assess the global cholera risk as very high and is working urgently with partners to contain the disease and reduce deaths.

The agency’s response includes deploying medical supplies, supporting case management and surveillance, and engaging communities through risk communication strategies.