Cholera Outbreak Reported in Ivory Coast with Seven Fatalities

Ivory Coast has declared an outbreak of cholera, resulting in the confirmation of seven deaths linked to the disease. The National Institute of Public Hygiene announced that stool sample analyses conducted by the Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire identified Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. The outbreak was first reported on May 25, 2025, in the Port-Bouët-Vridi health district, specifically in the village of Vridi Akobrate near Abidjan. In this community, five deaths occurred within the first two days of detection, with a total of 45 cases recorded so far, including the seven fatalities. All deaths happened within the community during that initial period.

Cholera has been recurrent in Ivory Coast since the 1990s, often fueled by poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. The World Health Organization classifies cholera as a disease of poverty, which predominantly affects regions with inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Africa faces a heightened risk, especially amid climate change impacts, the El Niño weather phenomenon, and current global vaccine shortages. These factors contribute to the increased vulnerability of the continent to cholera outbreaks.

Health officials urge the population to remain vigilant by consuming safe drinking water, avoiding contaminated street water, and practicing regular handwashing to curb the spread of the disease. The government emphasizes the importance of hygiene and sanitation measures to prevent further cases during this outbreak.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-ivory-coast-cholera-outbreak-deaths.html