Cholera Outbreak Surges Past 35,000 Cases in DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recorded more than 35,000 cases of cholera since the beginning of 2025, as the country faces one of its most severe outbreaks in recent years.

Health Minister Roger Kamba said the DRC is currently in the acute phase of the epidemic, with the capital Kinshasa, home to over 17 million people, among the hardest-hit regions. The rapid spread of the disease has been attributed to a combination of recurring floods, lack of access to clean drinking water, poor sanitation infrastructure, and large-scale population displacement.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Ministry of Health is intensifying epidemiological surveillance at border crossings through the National Border Hygiene Program. These efforts aim to contain the outbreak and minimize the risk of cross-border transmission.

Cholera, a waterborne disease linked to contaminated water and inadequate sanitation, remains a persistent threat in regions experiencing climate-related disasters and infrastructure challenges.

The World Health Organization has previously identified the DRC as one of the high-risk countries for recurrent cholera outbreaks due to its vulnerable public health systems