Stories
Cholera Crisis Deepens: WHO Alarmed by Highest Deaths Since 1999, Bangladesh Worried
- •The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over an alarming increase in cholera deaths worldwide.
- •Last year, 451,499 people were infected in 47 countries, with 7,870 deaths, the highest since 1999.
- •Nearly 90% of all cases and deaths occurred in just 7 countries, including Bangladesh.
- •The African continent saw a 34% increase in cases and a 58% rise in deaths between 2024 and 2025.
- •Cholera is preventable and curable; access to clean water, sanitation, vaccines, and timely treatment can prevent deaths.
Key Questions Answered
According to World Health Organization data, 451,499 people were infected with cholera across 47 countries, with 7,870 dying from the disease. Although total global cases are expected to decrease slightly, deaths increased by nearly 30 percent, marking the highest annual death toll reported since 1999.
Nearly 90 percent of all global cholera cases and deaths occurred in just seven countries: Bangladesh, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.
Cholera is a preventable and curable infection that can be managed through access to clean drinking water, proper sanitation, vaccines, and timely medical treatment. However, the WHO noted that over one in five patients died before reaching a healthcare facility.
