Africa is facing its most severe cholera outbreak in more than two decades, with cases rising sharply in several countries, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The agency reported on Thursday that about 300,000 confirmed and suspected cases of cholera have already been recorded in 2025. More than 7,000 people have died, making this the worst outbreak the continent has seen in 25 years.
Sharp Increase From Last Year
This year’s figures show a more than 30% increase compared with 2024, when 254,075 cases were reported.
“Cholera is still a major issue. Every year we are seeing more cases,” said Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya during a news briefing.
Kaseya pointed out that Angola and Burundi are experiencing especially fast-growing outbreaks. Angola has reported 33,563 cases and 866 deaths, while Burundi has confirmed 2,380 cases and 10 deaths so far in 2025.
How Cholera Spreads
Cholera is a bacterial infection spread mainly through contaminated water. People can also get sick when polluted water touches open wounds or when they eat raw shellfish.
The disease is not spread directly from person to person.
Cholera causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration, and if untreated, can kill within hours — even in healthy people.
Conflicts and Water Shortages Fueling the Crisis
The Africa CDC says the outbreak is being worsened by:
Poor access to clean water,
Conflict and insecurity,
Displacement of thousands of people,
Overcrowded refugee camps,
Damaged sanitation systems.
“As we know, without clean water we cannot control the outbreak,” Kaseya said.
He urged countries to improve water and sanitation services, especially in high-risk communities.
Sudan Among Hardest Hit
Sudan is one of the most affected countries. The ongoing war has destroyed water systems and sewage facilities, creating ideal conditions for cholera to spread.
As of this year, Sudan has recorded 71,728 cases and 2,012 deaths.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said the situation in Sudan is the worst it has seen in years. In Darfur alone, MSF teams treated more than 2,300 patients in one week and reported 40 deaths in refugee camps.
Sudan faced a similar crisis in 2017, when polluted floodwaters mixed with sewage, causing an outbreak that killed at least 700 people.
A Growing Public Health Emergency
Health experts warn that if clean water access does not improve, cholera cases may continue to rise across Africa for the rest of the year.
The Africa CDC has called for stronger cooperation between governments, humanitarian groups, and international partners to stop the outbreak and prevent future crises.
