Monthly Regional Cholera Bulletin, May 2024
In 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). Five countries – Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe – are currently categorized as being in acute crisis.
The southern and eastern sub regions of the continent, now in the rainy season, are 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 30 April was 82 215 and 1 507 deaths, respectively, with a case fatality ratio of 1.8%. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe account for 90.6% (74 451) of the total cases and 91.4% (1 377) of total deaths this year. In 2024, Comoros confirmed an outbreak linked to importation from a passenger aboard a boat which arrived in Moroni on January 31, 2024.
In April 2024, ten countries – Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe – reported a total of 15 636 new cases and 233 deaths (CFR = 1.5%).
As of 30 April 2024, a cumulative total of 367 134 cholera cases, including 6 614 deaths (CFR: 1.8%), have been reported since 1 January 2022. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe account for 74.1% (271 965) of the cumulative cases and 64.2% (4 243) of all cumulative deaths reported. Transmission is currently active in 14 countries.