Multi-country cholera outbreak, external situation report #23 -20 February 2025

Overview

In January 2025 (epidemiological weeks 1 to 4), a total of 34 799 new cholera and/or Acute Watery Diarrhoea cases were reported from 19 countries, territories, areas across three WHO regions, marking a 27% decrease from December 2024. The African Region registered the highest number of cases, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean Region and the South-East Asia Region. The period also saw 349 cholera-related deaths globally, highlighting a 33% decrease from the previous month. While the seasonal decline in transmission during winter months may partly explain the reduction in case numbers in some regions, the overall cholera data remains incomplete due to underreporting and reporting delays. 

In January, Oral Cholera Vaccines production reached 6.2 million doses, reflecting significant efforts by the supplier and partners. This progress follows the introduction and prequalification of a new vaccine formulation and manufacturing process earlier in 2024. However, current production has yet to meet growing global demand, and demand continues to exceed supply, hindering efforts to control cholera outbreaks, respond rapidly to the disease’s spread, and implement preventative campaigns.

Conflict, mass displacement, disasters from natural hazards, and climate change have intensified outbreaks, particularly in rural and flood-affected areas, where poor infrastructure and limited healthcare access delay treatment. These cross-border factors have made cholera outbreaks increasingly complex and harder to control.