Cholera outbreak: Alarming in South Sudan and Angola
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
Angola and South Sudan are at the center of a growing global cholera crisis in 2025. With over 8,500 cases in Angola and more than 26,000 in South Sudan, health authorities urge travelers to affected areas to follow strict hygiene measures and stay updated on outbreak developments.
In South Sudan, the outbreak is particularly alarming. Children under 15 account for around half of the cases, and large areas of the country remain flooded and underserved by health services. As of early April 2025, South Sudan is surpassing other nations in both case numbers and fatalities. Since the onset of the outbreak on September 28, 2024, the country has reported over 26,800 infections and approximately 455 deaths across 39 counties in eight states.
Experts point to a mix of conflict, climate change, poor sanitation, and population displacement as the main drivers behind the 2025 surge. Many countries hit hardest by cholera also lack strong healthcare systems, making rapid response difficult.
16 provinces in Angola
Angola is also battling a widespread cholera outbreak affecting 16 provinces, with over 8,500 cases and hundreds of deaths reported in 2025. Travelers are strongly advised to follow strict hygiene, avoid unsafe food and water, and stay updated on health advisories before visiting.
Since January 2025, Angola has been grappling with a significant cholera outbreak that has rapidly spread across the country. As of March 23, 2025, a total of 8,543 cases and 329 deaths have been reported, with a case fatality rate of 3.9%. The outbreak has affected 16 of Angola's 21 provinces, with Luanda and Bengo among the worst hit.
Global resurgence
In what health authorities are calling a global resurgence, cholera is on the rise in multiple regions across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. As of mid-March 2025, the World Health Organization has documented nearly 77,000 cases and almost 1,000 deaths globally since the start of the year.
No statement from WHO
As of April 2, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not released specific statements or named individuals addressing the current cholera outbreak in South Sudan. However, WHO has been actively involved in cholera prevention and response efforts in the country. For instance, in 2022, WHO supported the South Sudanese government in implementing oral cholera vaccination campaigns and strengthening surveillance systems to detect and respond to outbreaks.
Rapidly escalating
In the absence of direct WHO statements, other organizations have highlighted the severity of the situation. Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) has described the outbreak as «rapidly escalating» and emphasized the need for immediate action to address systemic issues contributing to the spread of cholera.
Doctors Without Borders writes on their website that a humanitarian crisis is rapidly unfolding on both sides of the South Sudan-Ethiopia border, as escalating violence, displacement, and a widespread cholera outbreak push communities to the brink.
According to MSF, the risk of further escalation is growing, as clashes between government forces and armed groups—initially concentrated in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state—threaten to spread to other regions. At the same time, violence is spilling across the border into Ethiopia’s Gambella region. The United Nations estimates that around 10,000 displaced people have already fled into Ethiopia since early March.
«We have already witnessed how this violence has fueled the spread of cholera in several areas, but a larger, escalating conflict could push the entire country into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe,» says Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission in South Sudan. «We urgently call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, health care workers, and medical facilities, and to grant unhindered access for humanitarian and medical assistance, in line with international humanitarian law.»
We have already witnessed how this violence has fueled the spread of cholera in several areas, but a larger, escalating conflict could push the entire country into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
The situation highlights the critical intersection of armed conflict and public health in South Sudan, where displacement, unsafe water, and weakened infrastructure have created conditions ripe for the rapid spread of disease.
Most affected countries in 2025 so far
South Sudan: 26,800+ cases and over 450 deaths since late 2024
Afghanistan: Nearly 5,000 new cases reported in early 2025
Sudan: Over 4,000 cases amid ongoing humanitarian crises
Yemen: More than 3,600 cases as infrastructure struggles
Angola: 8,543 cases and 329 deaths
Travel advisory
Health officials recommend the following precautions for anyone visiting cholera-affected regions:
Drink only boiled or bottled water, including for brushing teeth
Avoid raw or undercooked foods, especially seafood and street food
Wash hands frequently with soap and safe water
Consider a cholera vaccine if traveling to high-risk areas
Monitor official travel advisories and local health updates
Cholera is preventable and treatable, but only if travelers and local systems are prepared. The 2025 outbreaks are a stark reminder of how quickly diseases can spread in vulnerable environments—and the importance of global cooperation in stopping them.
Key cholera facts
What is Cholera?
Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
It is primarily spread through contaminated water or food, often in areas with poor sanitation.
Severe cases can lead to rapid dehydration and death within hours if untreated.
Symptoms
Watery diarrhea (often described as «rice-water» stools)
Vomiting
Rapid dehydration
Low blood pressure
Muscle cramps
Mild or moderate cases are common, but severe cholera can kill within hours.
Incubation Period
Typically 2 hours to 5 days after infection.
Global Impact
Annually, cholera affects 1.3 to 4 million people, with 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide.
In 2023, WHO reported a 13% rise in cases and a 71% increase in deaths compared to 2022.
In 2025, major outbreaks have been reported in South Sudan, Angola, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, and others.
Most affected populations
People living in crowded conditions, refugee camps, or areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
Children under 15 are especially vulnerable in many outbreaks.
Prevention
Access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation.
Handwashing with soap and clean water.
Avoiding raw or undercooked food, especially seafood.
Oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) are available and effective in reducing outbreaks.
Treatment
Most cases can be treated with oral rehydration salts (ORS).
Severe cases require IV fluids and antibiotics.
With prompt treatment, the mortality rate is under 1%.
