Cholera outbreaks in West and Central Africa

UNICEF issued a warning regarding the rapid spread of cholera across West and Central Africa, noting that the disease is moving across borders via shared rivers, trade routes, and population movements. Active outbreaks were reported in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. Nigeria recorded the highest number of cases, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported the highest death toll. UNICEF Regional Director Gilles Fagninou stated, “This outbreak is no longer confined by borders.”

In response to the crisis, the European Commission mobilized €2.3 million in emergency humanitarian funds to combat outbreaks in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Chad. According to the World Health Organization, more than 61,000 cholera cases were reported across the African region during the first five months of 2026.

Nigeria was allocated the largest portion, €1.5 million, to increase intervention teams, provide treatment kits, and improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) measures, as well as to strengthen epidemiological surveillance in hard-to-reach areas. The Central African Republic is set to receive €500,000 to expand vaccination efforts, case management, and water and sanitation interventions. Chad will receive €200,000 to improve access to safe water and sanitation services, while Cameroon will receive €100,000 to support outbreak containment, essential medicines, and the establishment of oral rehydration points in severely affected villages.