Monthly Regional Cholera Bulletin, June 2024
The cholera outbreak in the WHO African Region in 2024 has affected 14 countries (Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe). Three countries – Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Ethiopia are currently categorized as being in acute crisis.
The Eastern subregion of the continent, now in the rainy season, is experiencing resurging outbreaks. The El Nino phenomenon has caused both droughts in (Zambia, Zimbabwe) and an increase in rainfall levels, causing floods and landslides in some communities (Kenya, Tanzania). This will exacerbate the increase in cholera cases and raises the risk of outbreaks in districts and countries that have not reported new confirmed cases or previously controlled cholera outbreaks. The seasonality of cholera outbreaks continues to be an issue for countries to consider. There is need for member states to improve cholera preparedness and readiness, heighten surveillance, and scale up preventive and control measures in communities and around border crossings. This will prevent outbreaks, engender early response and reduce cross-border transmission.
Since the beginning of the year 2024, the number of cholera cases and deaths reported to the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) as of 31 May was 94 973 and 1 618, respectively, with a case fatality ratio of 1.7%. Five countries- Comoros, DRC, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe account for 86.5% (82 141) of the total cases and 94.6% (1 530) of total deaths reported this year. In 2024, the Comoros confirmed a cholera outbreak linked to importation from a passenger who arrived in Moroni on a boat on January 31, 2024.
In May 2024, eleven countries – Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe – reported a total of 13 247 new cases and 126 deaths (CFR = 1.0%).
As of 31 May 2024, a cumulative total of 381 392 cholera cases, including 6 733 deaths (CFR: 1.8%), have been reported since 1 January 2022. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe account for 73.3% (279 467) of all cumulative cases and 63.7% (4 290) of all cumulative deaths reported. Transmission is currently active in 13 countries.
The Eastern subregion of the continent, now in the rainy season, is experiencing resurging outbreaks. The El Nino phenomenon has caused both droughts in (Zambia, Zimbabwe) and an increase in rainfall levels, causing floods and landslides in some communities (Kenya, Tanzania). This will exacerbate the increase in cholera cases and raises the risk of outbreaks in districts and countries that have not reported new confirmed cases or previously controlled cholera outbreaks. The seasonality of cholera outbreaks continues to be an issue for countries to consider. There is need for member states to improve cholera preparedness and readiness, heighten surveillance, and scale up preventive and control measures in communities and around border crossings. This will prevent outbreaks, engender early response and reduce cross-border transmission.
Since the beginning of the year 2024, the number of cholera cases and deaths reported to the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) as of 31 May was 94 973 and 1 618, respectively, with a case fatality ratio of 1.7%. Five countries- Comoros, DRC, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe account for 86.5% (82 141) of the total cases and 94.6% (1 530) of total deaths reported this year. In 2024, the Comoros confirmed a cholera outbreak linked to importation from a passenger who arrived in Moroni on a boat on January 31, 2024.
In May 2024, eleven countries – Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe – reported a total of 13 247 new cases and 126 deaths (CFR = 1.0%).
As of 31 May 2024, a cumulative total of 381 392 cholera cases, including 6 733 deaths (CFR: 1.8%), have been reported since 1 January 2022. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe account for 73.3% (279 467) of all cumulative cases and 63.7% (4 290) of all cumulative deaths reported. Transmission is currently active in 13 countries.