African Leaders Unite to Confront Cholera Outbreaks

In a demonstration of continental unity, twenty African Union Member States affected by cholera outbreaks in 2025 have issued a call to action.

Following the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) lead, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, called for bold leadership and systemic change on June 2, 2025, "The people of Africa are watching. They expect bold, coordinated, and unwavering leadership that puts their health and dignity first."

As of May 2025, the Africa CDC reported approximately 130,000 cholera cases and 2,700 deaths, representing 60% of global reported cases and an alarming 93.5% of cholera-related deaths.

The Africa CDC emphasized the systemic drivers of the crisis—limited WASH infrastructure, insecurity, weak coordination, and vaccine shortages:
"Africa needs 54 million doses of oral cholera vaccine annually, but receives barely half. This gap is unacceptable."

"Urgent action is needed to scale up local production and secure (vaccine) supply."

Globally, over 244,000 cholera cases and 2,800 related fatalities have been reported in 2025.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, and the U.K. National Health Service recommend oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) for travelers visiting countries experiencing outbreaks.

The WHO says that all OCVs require two vaccine doses for complete protection for up to three years.

In the United States, OCVs are expected to be available at travel clinics and pharmacies in June 2025.