The number of cholera cases and deaths worldwide increased by about 50% last year compared to 2023, said Philippe Barbosa, head of the WHO's Cholera Cluster.
In a press briefing in Geneva, Barbosa indicated that the number of infections reached at least 810,000, and 5,900 deaths were recorded from the aforementioned disease in 2024.
"While we will release more complete statistics later this year, preliminary data indicates that nearly 810,000 cholera cases and 5,900 deaths were reported to WHO in 2024, a nearly 50% increase compared to 2023," Barbosa added.
Barbosa said that these figures are lower than the reality because official reports are incomplete.
"But even these numbers are too high for cholera, a disease spread through food or water contaminated with bacteria found in feces. Such a disease should not exist in the 21st century," he said.
According to him, since the beginning of 2025, nearly 100,000 cholera cases and 1,300 deaths have been reported in 25 countries.
"Cholera continues to spread to new countries," Barbosa continued. "This year, Namibia reported a cholera outbreak after a decade without any cases. Countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, which had previously reported an end to the disease, are experiencing a resurgence."
Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. In its most severe form, it can lead to death within hours if left untreated. The primary treatment for cholera involves replacing lost fluids and salts, as well as using antibiotics to shorten the duration of infection and prevent transmission. However, increasing antibiotic resistance threatens the effectiveness of treatment, making the disease more serious.