Global Cholera Deaths Surge for Second Year Despite Available Prevention

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a deepening global cholera crisis after new figures revealed a sharp rise in cases and deaths in 2024, even though the disease is both preventable and treatable.

According to WHO’s latest statistics, reported cholera cases increased by 5% last year, while deaths soared by 50%, claiming more than 6,000 lives. Experts caution that these numbers are likely underestimates of the true toll.

The surge has been driven by ongoing conflicts, climate change, mass displacement, and chronic deficiencies in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, spreads rapidly through water contaminated with human waste.

Rising Burden Across Continents

Sixty countries reported cholera outbreaks in 2024, up from 45 the previous year. Africa, the Middle East, and Asia accounted for 98% of all cases. Twelve countries each reported more than 10,000 infections, with seven experiencing large-scale outbreaks for the first time.

One alarming resurgence occurred in Comoros, which had gone more than 15 years without a reported outbreak. “This demonstrates the persistent threat of cholera’s global transmission,” WHO said.

Growing Strain on Health Systems

In Africa, the case fatality ratio rose from 1.4% in 2023 to 1.9% in 2024, underscoring gaps in access to life-saving care. WHO noted that one in four cholera deaths occurred outside health facilities, a sign that many communities remain cut off from timely treatment.

“These deaths are preventable. The rise reflects not only fragile health systems but also failures in providing safe water, sanitation, and community-level care,” the agency stressed.

Vaccine Supply Struggles

Efforts to contain outbreaks have been bolstered by the introduction of a new oral cholera vaccine, Euvichol-S®, which WHO prequalified in 2024. The vaccine helped maintain stockpile levels above the 5-million-dose emergency threshold for the first half of 2025.

Yet demand far outstripped supply. Governments requested 61 million doses last year, but only 40 million were approved for emergency use in 16 countries. As a result, the temporary shift from a two-dose to a single-dose regimen remained in place throughout 2024 and into 2025.

Crisis Continues in 2025

Preliminary data show the crisis is far from over. By mid-2025, 31 countries had already reported outbreaks, prompting WHO to classify the global risk as “very high.”

The organization said it is working urgently with governments and partners to strengthen surveillance, improve case management, expand vaccination campaigns, and boost public awareness.

“To stop cholera, we need stronger investment in prevention — from safe water and sanitation to sustained vaccine production,” WHO emphasized. “Every death from cholera is a tragedy because it can be prevented.”