Since the beginning of the year, 173,086 cases of cholera and 3,534 deaths have been recorded in Africa, according to the latest figures released Thursday by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The countries most affected are Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRCongo) and Sudan.
"Given the flooding and conflict we are seeing in Sudan, Angola and DRCongo, there is a need for a call to action from the authorities and a response from governments, which is already underway," said Africa CDC Deputy Incident Director Yap Boum in an online press conference.
Boum explained that the organization has held talks with the governments of these three countries, which are taking advantage of the mechanisms already activated by the AU to deal with the monkeypox (mpox) epidemic with the aim of also combating cholera.
Since January of this year, the DR Congo has accumulated 32,456 cases and 737 deaths, while Angola has recorded 26,723 infections, 751 deaths and 18 of its 21 provinces affected.
In Sudan, 32,056 cases and 736 deaths have been recorded in an outbreak aggravated by the armed conflict, which has been ongoing since April 15, 2023, which further complicates "response efforts", the organization highlighted.
The Africa CDC also warned that targeted attacks on water and electricity infrastructure in Sudan, together with limited access to drinking water and health services, intensify the risk of spread in the country.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium 'Vibrio cholerae' and is mainly associated with poor sanitation and limited access to drinking water.
Although it is a treatable disease that affects both children and adults, it can be fatal if not treated in time.
