Global situation report for cholera, 2024

Overview

“WHO’s latest global update on cholera, published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record indicates that in 2024, 60 countries reported more than 560 000 cases and over 6000 deaths. This marks a slight increase in cases and a sharp rise in deaths compared with 2023, when more than 535 000 cases and 4000 deaths were reported. Cholera continues to be a severe public health issue that thrives in fragile settings and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations, especially where safe water and sanitation are lacking.

To address this threat, the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) launched the Global Roadmap to 2030 in 2017. This strategy set three clear targets: a 90% reduction in cholera deaths compared with 2017 levels, the elimination of cholera in 20 countries, and ensuring that all countries with cholera hotspots are implementing fully funded multi-sectoral cholera control plans.

The latest data show that progress is far from sufficient. The number of countries affected has almost doubled since 2017, and the number of very large outbreaks has tripled. While access to timely treatment has improved survival in some settings, overall mortality remains far above the Roadmap’s trajectory. Cholera remains a health emergency of the highest level, requiring urgent investment in water and sanitation, stronger outbreak response capacities, and full implementation of national control strategies if the 2030 goals are to be achieved.