WHO: cholera deaths in 2025 will reach their highest level since 1999

The number of deaths from cholera worldwide rose 30% last year, the highest since 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

“Deaths from cholera increased by 30% in 2025, despite fewer cases being reported to WHO, with 47 countries reporting 451,499 cholera cases and 7,870 deaths. This is the highest cholera death toll reported by WHO in a year since 1999,” the organization said.

However, the figures reflect surveillance data reported to WHO, and not the actual scale of cholera spread in the world: they are estimated to be much higher, since many cases remain unreported, WHO said.

Seven countries - Angola, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen - accounted for about 90% of all reported cases and deaths. The most difficult situation is in the WHO African region, where the number of cases has increased by 34% and the number of deaths by 58% compared to 2024.

While cholera can be prevented and treated, it can be fatal if severe dehydration is not treated quickly, the organization said, pointing out the importance of vaccination against the disease.