Cholera deaths rise despite fewer reported cases
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a 30% increase in global cholera deaths in 2025, despite fewer cases being reported. According to WHO, 47 countries reported 451,499 cases and 7,870 deaths, the highest annual number of cholera deaths reported to the organisation since 1999.
Seven countries—Angola, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen—accounted for around 90% of reported cases and deaths. Meanwhile, the WHO African Region recorded a 34% rise in cases and a 58% increase in deaths compared with 2024. As per the WHO report, stronger surveillance, vaccination, safe water, sanitation and timely access to healthcare remain critical to controlling cholera.
Meningitis Cases Show Decline
At the same time, WHO reported 21,526 suspected meningitis cases and 971 deaths across 24 of the 26 countries in Africa’s meningitis belt in 2025. Among countries reporting data for both years, cases declined by 5.9%. Vaccination has also significantly reduced serogroup A meningococcal meningitis, with cases falling by more than 99% among vaccinated populations.
Continued Surveillance Needed for Plague
WHO also highlighted the need for continued surveillance of plague. Between 2019 and 2025, 10 countries reported suspected human plague cases, recording 3,847 suspected cases and 423 deaths. Most cases came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar. WHO stressed that monitoring animal populations and responding rapidly to outbreaks can help detect plague early and limit transmission