Worsening Global Cholera Outbreak

WHO Report Warns of Worsening Global Cholera Outbreak, with 400,000 Cases and Over 4,700 Deaths This Year.

According to a Xinhua report, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a latest report on August 29 local time, stating that due to conflicts and poverty, the global cholera outbreak continues to worsen. The disease has erupted in multiple countries, posing a significant public health challenge to several regions.

The report shows that from January 1 to August 17, 2025, a total of over 409,000 cholera/acute watery diarrhea cases were reported across 31 countries, including 4,738 deaths. Six countries reported a case fatality rate exceeding 1%.

The report indicates that the ongoing outbreaks in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan since 2024 have continued to spread significantly, complicating control efforts. Meanwhile, countries like Chad and the Republic of the Congo, which had not reported large numbers of cases for many years, have also experienced renewed outbreaks, overwhelming their already fragile health systems. Data shows that among the regions by WHO, the Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest number of cases, exceeding 230,000, while the African Region reported the highest number of deaths, with 3,763 fatalities.

The report states that conflicts, large-scale displacement, natural disasters, and climate change have exacerbated the outbreaks, particularly in rural and flood-affected areas with weak infrastructure and limited healthcare access.

On August 15, WHO also released a report on the global cholera outbreak, noting that although the production of oral cholera vaccines has reached a record high, surging demand has led to the allocation of over 40 million doses to 12 countries this year. However, due to conflicts and administrative barriers hindering aid access, many affected areas remain unreachable.

WHO emphasized that safe drinking water, sanitation, and personal hygiene are the only long-term and sustainable solutions to end the cholera emergency and prevent future outbreaks. WHO recommends that countries enhance surveillance, improve case management, strengthen water and sanitation interventions, conduct vaccination campaigns, and engage in cross-border cooperation to coordinate public health measures and prevent the transnational spread of cholera.

Cholera is a disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, transmitted through food or water contaminated with the bacteria. The disease has a rapid onset and spreads quickly, with main symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting. It is classified as a quarantinable infectious disease

The Cholera Ag Rapid Test is a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection anddifferentiation of Vibrio Cholerae ( V. Cholerae) O139 antigen and O1 antigen in human fecal specimen. It isintended to be used as a screening test by professionals and provides a preliminary test result to aid in the diagnosisof infection with V. Cholerae.Any interpretation or use of this preliminary test result must also rely on other clinicalfindings as well as on the professional judgment of health care providers. Alternative test method(s) should beconsidered to confirm the test result obtained by this device.

The Cholera Ag Rapid Test is a lateral flowchromatographic immunoassay. The test cassette consists of: 1) aburgundy colored conjugate pad containing monoclonal anti- V. Cholera O1and O139 antibodies conjugated withcolloid gold(O1/O139-antibody conjugates) and a control antibody conjugated with colloidal gold, 2) anitrocellulose membrane strip containing two test line. The O1 line is pre-coated with monoclonal anti- V. CholeraO1 antibody. The O139 line is pre-coated with monoclonal anti- V. Cholera O139 antibody. The C line is pre-coatedwith a control line antibody.

When an adequate volume of test specimen is applied into the sample well of the test cassette, the specimenmigrates by capillary action across the cassette. The V. Cholera O1/O139 antigen if present in the specimen willbind to the corresponding O1/O139-antibody gold conjugate. This immunocomplex is then captured on themembrane by the pre-coated anti- V. Cholera O1/O139 antibody, forming a burgundy colored test line, indicating aCholera O1/O139 positive test result. Absence of the test line suggests a negative result.The test contains aninternal control (C line) which should exhibit a burgundy colored line of the immunocomplex of the controlantibodies regardless of the color development on the test line. Otherwise, the test result is invalid and the specimenmust be retested with another device.