Geneva, SANA-The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday that cholera outbreaks are escalating globally, with more than 400,000 cases identified in 2025 across 31 affected countries.
The WHO emphasized that conflicts’ mass displacement, disasters from natural hazards, and climate change have intensified outbreaks, particularly in rural and flood-affected areas, where poor infrastructure and limited healthcare access delay treatment.
Cholera is re-emerging in countries that have not experienced significant case numbers for years, such as Congo and Chad. Currently, these nations report some of the highest mortality rates in the world, at 7.7% and 6.8%, respectively.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal infection, is caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. Although it can be effectively treated through rehydration and antibiotics in severe cases, if left untreated, it can lead to death within hours.
Iman /Mazen