The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has warned over the increasing death toll resulting from cholera outbreaks in several African countries.
During an online media briefing on Thursday, Yap Boum II, deputy incident manager for mpox at the Africa CDC, said 24 African countries reported a total of 308,935 cholera cases, and 7,131 deaths during 2025.
Attributing the recurring cholera outbreaks in Africa primarily to insufficient access to clean water and sanitation, Boum also warned of the higher fatality of the disease, standing at the rate of 2.3 percent when compared to previous years.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, can lead to severe dehydration and death within hours if untreated.
Meanwhile, Africa has recorded 132,008 mpox cases since the start of this year, including 40,138 confirmed ones, and 952 related deaths, according to the Africa CDC.
The agency highlighted that mpox response efforts are showing positive results, with both confirmed and suspected cases declining steadily in recent weeks compared to the peak around May.
Boum said Africa’s cholera and mpox response efforts have been compounded by mounting public health emergencies, as the continent reported more than 186 moderate-to-high risk public health emergencies so far in 2025.
MG/as/APA