WHO Reports Nearly 100,000 Cholera Cases in Sudan Amid Escalating Crisis

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday that since July of the previous year, Sudan has experienced nearly 100,000 cases of cholera. The ongoing conflict has significantly worsened the already dire health situation, contributing to widespread hunger, displacement, and disease outbreaks across the country. Since April 2023, the fighting between the Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces under Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has resulted in thousands of deaths, fueling instability.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that unrelenting violence has led to deteriorating living conditions, with cholera sweeping through all states and challenging health efforts. Despite some declines in case numbers following oral cholera vaccination campaigns, gaps in surveillance and the fragility of progress remain. Recent severe flooding, affecting many parts of Sudan, is expected to exacerbate hunger and facilitate additional outbreaks of cholera, as well as other waterborne and vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.

Cholera, an acute intestinal infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water, leads to severe diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. Without prompt treatment—which is primarily rehydration and antibiotics in severe cases—this disease can be fatal within hours. The rise in cholera cases globally has been notable since 2021, crossing borders and affecting vulnerable populations.

In addition to infectious disease concerns, the crisis has precipitated a humanitarian emergency characterized by severe malnutrition. Reports from El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, reveal that some residents are resorting to eating animal feed to survive. It is estimated that around 770,000 children under five will suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year. WHO-supported nutrition centers have treated over 17,000 severely malnourished children in the first half of 2025, but many more remain inaccessible due to ongoing violence and limited funding.

The WHO emphasizes that as long as violence persists, the country will face continued threats of hunger, disease, and displacement. Current efforts are hampered by insufficient financial resources—less than a third of the requested funding has been received—and restricted access to affected areas. The situation in Sudan remains dire, requiring urgent international support to prevent further deterioration.

This report is based on information from the World Health Organization, available at https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-struck-cholera-sudan.html.