The number of cholera cases reported worldwide increased in 2024, according to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which demanded more vaccines, saying the current suppy is insufficient.
The infectious disease, which can lead to severe diarrhoea and life-threatening fluid loss, is treatable but often spreads in regions where people are displaced, suffer flooding and other natural disasters. These are growing more frequent amid climate change and, combined with water shortages, are leading to higher death tolls, the WHO said in a statement on Friday.
WHO countries reported more than 6,000 deaths from cholera, twice as many as in the previous year. The number of reported cases rose by 5% to over 560,000, an alarming increase. The WHO said the true figures are likely to be significantly higher.
Vaccine is not enough
Sixty countries reported outbreaks, up from 45 the previous year.
In 12 of these, there were more than 10,000 cases. Some 98% of all cases were reported in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. By the end of August 2025, 31 countries had been affected.
WHO said more efforts must be made to ensure that everyone worldwide has access to clean drinking water and sanitation. People also need to be educated on how to protect themselves from infection, for example by washing their hands with soap after using the toilet.
In 2024, a licence was granted for an additional vaccine, but given to the increasing number of outbreaks, there are not enough doses for all countries. That prompted the WHO to temporarily reduce the recommended vaccination from two doses to one some time ago.
