Cholera: An Escalating Public Health Threat in Africa

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According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), cholera remains the leading public health threat on the continent, with the number of cases and deaths continuing to rise.

Since the beginning of 2025, the disease has affected more than 239,700 people and caused 5,270 deaths across 23 African countries, representing a fatality rate of 2.2%. This toll already surpasses that of the previous year (4,725 deaths in 2024).

Africa CDC is calling for a coordinated, multisectoral response to better control the spread of the epidemic. The main causes are identified as lack of access to safe drinking water, coupled with security challenges and weakened health systems.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated water or food. If untreated, it can lead to severe dehydration and prove fatal within hours.