Cholera killed over 6,000 people in 2024, marking a 50% increase in deaths while cases rose 5% compared to the previous year, according to new WHO data. The World Health Organization‘s latest statistics show the crisis deepened for the second consecutive year. Sixty countries reported outbreaks in 2024, up from 45 in 2023, with Africa, the Middle East, and Asia accounting for 98% of cases.
Conflicts, climate change, and population displacement continue driving the spread of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera through contaminated water. Weak water and sanitation systems in affected regions create conditions where the disease spreads quickly through communities. These infrastructure gaps leave millions vulnerable to a disease that doctors can easily prevent and treat.
Twelve countries each saw more than 10,000 cases last year, with seven facing large outbreaks for the first time. Africa’s death rate jumped from 1.4% to 1.9%, exposing serious problems in healthcare delivery. A quarter of deaths happened outside hospitals, showing how many people cannot reach treatment in time.
The new Euvichol-S vaccine joined global stockpiles in early 2024, helping maintain emergency reserves above 5 million doses. But demand far exceeds supply as countries requested 61 million doses while only 40 million were approved for use across 16 nations. Health officials had to continue single-dose vaccination campaigns instead of the preferred two-dose approach.
WHO rates the global cholera risk as very high, with 31 countries already reporting outbreaks this year. The organization supports affected nations through surveillance, medical supplies, and community programs. Despite having effective tools to fight cholera, the expanding crisis shows why basic infrastructure investments remain essential.
