“Cholera should not exist in the 21st century,” declared health expert Barboza, highlighting the alarming spread of the disease to nations such as Namibia and Kenya, where it had previously been absent.
In various countries, the case fatality rate has alarmingly surpassed 1 percent, with Angola emerging as a particularly severe hotspot. Barboza, who recently returned from there, reported a staggering fatality rate exceeding 4 percent and warned of the disease’s swift transmission within Angola and to its neighboring countries. Currently, Angola accounts for 36 percent of all global cholera cases reported in 2025.
In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have mobilized rapid deployment teams, established treatment facilities, and conducted staff training in affected regions. Meanwhile, Myanmar has reported 12,000 acute cholera cases since July 2024, and Haiti is grappling with an outbreak but struggles with insufficient funding to manage it effectively.
Barboza emphasized that the interplay of armed conflict and climate change is accelerating the spread of cholera, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action and sustained investment to prevent further outbreaks. As of late March, the WHO has stockpiled 5.6 million treatment doses for emergency responses, yet the soaring global demand underscores an urgent need for expanded vaccine production. “Cholera should not be killing anyone in the 21st century,” Barboza reiterated, calling for immediate action.
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