In the Democratic Republic of Congo, cholera has claimed nearly 1,000 lives, with early outbreak mortality rates soaring between 20% and 30% due to a lack of medical supplies and infrastructure.

As the rainy season begins in West and Central Africa, UNICEF warns that over 80,000 children are at high risk for cholera due to potential contamination of water sources.

The onset of the rainy season is expected to exacerbate the cholera outbreak, increasing the number of infections and heightening the risk of contamination in drinking water sources.

Experts are warning of increasing financial gaps due to the withdrawal of international aid, particularly following cuts from USAID, which could further worsen the cholera crisis in the months ahead.

The CDC has raised alarms over insufficient investment in sanitation infrastructure, which has led to a surge in cholera outbreaks, particularly in South Sudan where only 16% of the population has access to sanitation facilities.

In Sudan, the situation is equally dire, with over 12 million people displaced by conflict and only 35% having access to clean water, further complicating the cholera crisis.

Currently, 23 African countries are grappling with active cholera outbreaks, with reported cases in 2025 already exceeding 205,000, nearly matching the total for the entire previous year.

The mortality rate from cholera has risen from 1.9% last year to 2.1% this year, indicating worsening conditions across the continent.

In North Darfur, alarming reports indicate 4,300 cholera cases amidst a looming famine, underscoring the urgent need for improved sanitation and medical care.

CDC Director Jean Kaseya has highlighted a critical shortage of cholera vaccines, noting that only half of the required 54 million doses are available annually, which she deemed unacceptable.

Health experts stress the necessity for improved hygiene measures and increased access to vaccines, pointing out a significant gap in vaccine availability across the continent.

Conflict regions like Eastern Congo and Sudan face dire situations that severely hinder aid efforts, with millions displaced and living under precarious conditions.