Cholera kills over 3,000 globally in 2026 — WHO

In 2026, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that more than 3,000 people worldwide have died from cholera, despite global efforts to reduce cases by 90 percent by 2030. Lorenzo Pezzoli, WHO lead for epidemic-prone bacterial diseases, stated that 2025 saw nearly 7,900 deaths, marking it "the deadliest year for cholera since 1999".

While there has been a decline in deaths so far in 2026, more than 3,000 people have still succumbed to the preventable and treatable diarrheal infection, primarily in Africa. Eight out of ten victims in 2026 were in Africa.

The WHO and vaccine alliance Gavi aim to eliminate cholera globally by 2030 through mass vaccination campaigns and improved access to clean water and sanitation. Pezzoli warned that El Niño weather patterns could worsen outbreaks, as cholera can be fueled by both flooding and water shortages. Cholera was eliminated from high-income countries due to safe drinking water and modern sewage systems, but it can still prove fatal if left untreated.

Pezzoli emphasized that the 2030 goal is achievable, as the groundwork is already underway, with 71 million vaccine doses approved by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision last year. Vaccines and rapid diagnostic tests are reaching outbreak zones more swiftly, enabling health workers to detect and respond to infections more quickly.