Africa is facing a severe cholera crisis, with cases surging as the rainy season begins in many affected nations, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Thursday.
The continent is reporting three times more cases than in 2022, with over 300,000 infections and more than 7,000 deaths so far this year. Five countries, Congo, Angola, Sudan, South Sudan, and Nigeria, account for nearly 90% of the reported cases.
Last week, the Africa CDC described the situation as the worst cholera outbreak Africa has seen in 25 years. Cholera, a waterborne disease, spreads through contaminated food and water, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration.
READ ALSO: Ivory Coast confirms cholera outbreak with seven dead as officials warn of rapid spread
Congo currently leads in case numbers, while Angola is experiencing high transmission rates. Health officials are also closely monitoring Sudan, South Sudan, and Nigeria.
The Africa CDC urged African nations to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure to slow the disease’s spread. “44% of the population in Angola lacks access to safe drinking water, and only about 55% has sanitation,” said Yap Boum II, the Africa CDC’s deputy incident manager.
Cameroon recently reported two cases near its border with Nigeria. The Africa CDC highlighted challenges in reaching the affected regions due to rocky, mountainous terrain but confirmed that outbreak control measures are underway in both countries.
READ ALSO: UN secretary-general laments worsening situation in Sudan
So far, 24 African nations have recorded cholera cases, and authorities are relying on existing outbreak response systems to contain the disease, AP reported.
