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Cabinet officials

Cholera Resurges in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Infecting Over 35,000

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a sharp resurgence of cholera, with cases reported in 17 of its 36 provinces and over 35,000 infections recorded since the beginning of the year. The outbreak is attributed to a combination of factors, including repeated flooding, lack of access to clean water, poor sanitation, and mass population movements. The national case fatality rate has reached three percent, with a peak of nine percent previously recorded in Kinshasa. Health Minister Roger Kamba has urged the population to seek immediate treatment at health centers when symptoms appear, rather than self-medicating.

Key Takeaways:

  • The cholera outbreak in the DRC has affected 17 out of 36 provinces, with over 35,000 infections recorded since the beginning of the year.
  • The health minister, Roger Kamba, attributes the surge in cholera cases to repeated flooding, lack of access to clean water, poor sanitation, and mass population movements.
  • The national case fatality rate has reached three percent, with a peak of nine percent previously recorded in Kinshasa.
  • Cholera remains endemic in several eastern provinces, where it first appeared over 50 years ago.
  • The health ministry has pledged to strengthen epidemiological surveillance at border checkpoints through the National Hygiene Program at Borders to prevent cross-border spread.
  • The DRC is also grappling with an outbreak of mpox, though a clear downward trend has emerged, according to Health Minister Kamba.

Statistics:

  • 35,000: The number of cholera infections recorded in the DRC since the beginning of the year.
  • 17: The number of provinces affected by the cholera outbreak.
  • 3%: The national case fatality rate due to cholera.
  • 9%: The peak case fatality rate for cholera in Kinshasa.
  • 500 million: The amount of people in the DRC who lack access to basic sanitation and hygiene.

Sources:

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Public Health, citing Health Minister Roger Kamba.
  • World Health Organisation (WHO)

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