Cholera Outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo Leaves 620 Dead

Strategic Insights -

A cholera outbreak declared in multiple provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 29,392 suspected cases and 620 deaths, with a mortality rate of 2% indicating gaps in reaching patients with early and adequate treatment. The provinces of Tanganyika, Haut-Katanga, Sud-Kivu, Maniema, and Tshopo are among the most affected, with severe flooding and high population mobility along the Congo River accelerating the spread of the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 29,392 suspected cholera cases and 620 deaths from January 1 to June 8, 2025.
  • The mortality rate of 2% is an indication of gaps in reaching cholera patients with early and adequate treatment.
  • The provinces of Tanganyika, Haut-Katanga, Sud-Kivu, Maniema, and Tshopo are among the most affected by the cholera outbreak.
  • Severe flooding in eastern provinces and high population mobility along the Congo River are accelerating the spread of the disease.
  • The ongoing humanitarian crises and other outbreaks, such as mpox and measles, are straining national health capacities.
  • The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with support from WHO and other partners, activated the Incident Management System to lead and coordinate the national response.
  • Rapid response teams have been deployed to affected areas to support local health authorities with case detection and investigation, clinical management, water and sanitation activities, and laboratory diagnosis.
  • WHO is mobilizing resources for the most affected, including the deployment of emergency inter-agency kits to treat over 10,000 people and supplemental cholera kits for the treatment of an additional 800 patients in North Kivu province.
  • WHO has also deployed cholera supplies in Kinshasa, Haut Katanga, Tanganyika, South Kivu, Kongo central, Tshopo, and Maniema Provinces.
  • The country is set to begin a reactive oral cholera vaccination campaign targeting 11 health zones across four provinces, with nearly 3 million vaccine doses received from the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision.

Statistics:

  • 29,392 suspected cholera cases reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from January 1 to June 8, 2025.
  • 620 deaths reported due to the cholera outbreak.
  • 2% mortality rate indicating gaps in reaching patients with early and adequate treatment.
  • 11 health zones across four provinces to be targeted in a reactive oral cholera vaccination campaign.
  • Nearly 3 million vaccine doses received from the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision.

Sources:

  • World Health Organisation
  • Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision
  • United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)