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The cholera outbreak in the WHO African Region in 2024 has affected 16 countries(Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) with two new countries-Ghana and Togo reporting confirmed cases. However, the situation is particularly severe in three countries –The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Nigeria – which are currently categorized as being in acute crisis.

The Western and Eastern subregions of the continent, now in the rainy season, are experiencing resurging outbreaks. The El Nino phenomenon has caused both droughts in (Zambia and Zimbabwe) and an increase in rainfall levels, causing floods and landslides in some communities (Kenya and Tanzania). This may exacerbate the increase in cholera cases and raise 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 a need for member states to improve cholera preparedness and readiness, heightened 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 August was 119 127 and 2 048 respectively, with a case fatality ratio of 1.7%. Comoros, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe account for 81.5% (97 028) of the total cases and 83.2% (1 704) of total deaths reported this year.

In August 2024, nine countries – Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, and the United Republic of Tanzania – reported a total of 5 488 new cases and 112 deaths (CFR = 2.0%).

As of 31 August 2024, a cumulative total of 406 486 cholera cases, including 7 174 deaths (CFR: 1.8%), have been reported since 1 January 2022. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria account for 72.1% (292 939) of all cumulative cases and 65.3% (4 684) deaths reported. Transmission is currently active in nine countries.