DR Congo has the worst cholera epidemic in decades

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing its worst cholera epidemic in decades, with 1,800 deaths and over 60,000 cases reported this year. The outbreak is primarily concentrated in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, but cases are now emerging along the Congo River basin, raising concerns about potential spread to Kinshasa. The average fatality rate is around 3%, highlighting access difficulties to treatment. WHO emphasizes the importance of vaccination campaigns, especially in the east, and has approved 7.4 million vaccine doses for 2026, with additional requests under consideration.