Simultaneous #outbreaks of #Ebola, #cholera, #mpox, and #measles in #DRC in 2025

 

{Excerpt}

On Sept 4, 2025, the DR Congo Government and Ministry of Health announced a new Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Bulape health zone (Kasai province), marking the end of over 15 years without any reported cases of Ebola virus disease in this region. As of Sept 14, 2025, there were 35 confirmed Ebola virus disease cases and 16 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 45·7%.1,2 This unexpected resurgence in a region with insufficient preparedness capacity raises serious concerns about potential regional spread, including towards neighbouring Angola.

At the same time, DR Congo is experiencing one of the most severe cholera outbreaks of the past decade, with a total of 48 139 cases and 1443 deaths reported between Jan 1 and Aug 24, 2025, resulting in a case fatality rate of 3%.3 By epidemiological week 33, high case fatality rates were reported in the provinces of Kwilu (76 cases, 26 deaths; 44%), Sankuru (42 cases, 6 deaths; 14%), and Equateur (224 cases, 19 deaths; 8%).3

DR Congo also continues to be the global epicentre of mpox. Between Jan 1 and Sept 14, 2025, DR Congo has reported 16 879 confirmed mpox cases and 43 deaths.4 Response efforts have been challenged by factors such as persistent endemic conditions, gaps in surveillance, and poor access to vaccines.

(...)

Source: The Lancet, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02100-2/fulltext?rss=yes

____

#Cholera – Multi-country with a focus on countries experiencing current surges (#WHO D.O.N., August 29 '25)

 

{Summary}

Situation at a glance

The global cholera situation continues to deteriorate, driven by conflict and poverty, posing a significant public health challenge across multiple WHO regions. 

Between 1 January and 17 August 2025, a total of 409 222 cholera/Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases and 4738 deaths were reported globally, from 31 countries, with six of the 31 countries reporting case fatality rates above 1%, indicating serious gaps in case management and delayed access to care. 

Cholera is resurging in a number of countries, including some that had not reported substantial case numbers in years, like Chad and the Republic of Congo, while other countries, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan, are experiencing outbreaks that are continuing from 2024, with significant geographic expansion. This complicates containment efforts and strains fragile health systems. 

Conflict, mass displacement, disasters from natural hazards, and climate change have intensified outbreaks, particularly in rural and flood-affected areas, where poor infrastructure and limited healthcare access delay treatment. 

These cross-border factors have made cholera outbreaks increasingly complex and harder to control. 

Safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene are the only long-term and sustainable solutions to ending this cholera emergency and preventing future ones. 

Given the scale, severity, and interconnected nature of these outbreaks, the risk of further spread within and between countries is considered very high. 

Without urgent and coordinated public health measures, based on:

- strengthened surveillance, 

- improved case management, 

- WASH interventions, 

- vaccination campaigns, and 

- cross-border collaboration, 

cholera transmission is likely to expand across countries. 

WHO collaborates with the Ministries of Health, partners and stakeholders in affected countries. 

WHO supports countries in all pillars of cholera control, including: 

- strengthening epidemiological surveillance, 

- reinforcing laboratory capacity, 

- improving access to and quality of treatment, 

- implementing appropriate WASH and IPC practices, 

- promoting community engagement in cholera prevention and control and 

- facilitating OCV access and campaign implementation. 

On 26 August, the Africa CDC and WHO launched the Continental Cholera Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa 1.0, alongside a joint Incident Management Team. This initiative follows the commitment of African Heads of State and Government, who have elevated cholera to a continental priority through their recent high-level Call to Action, pledging to control and eliminate outbreaks by 2030.

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON579

____

#Cholera - #Angola {WHO D.O.N. March 28 '25}

{Summary}

Situation at a glance

Since January 2025, Angola has been experiencing a substantial cholera outbreak. As of 23 March 2025, a total of 8543 cases and 329 deaths (Case Fatality Rate (CFR) 3.9%) have been reported, with one-third of the deaths occurring in the community. The outbreak has rapidly spread to 16 out of Angola’s 21 provinces, affecting individuals of all age groups, with the highest burden among those under 20 years old. The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, is managing the cholera outbreak response through case detection, deployment of rapid response teams, community engagement and a vaccination campaign. Given the rapidly evolving outbreak, ongoing rainy season, and cross-border movement with neighbouring countries, WHO assesses the risk of further transmission in Angola and surrounding areas as very high.

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON562

____