4 Million Oral Cholera Vaccines Deployed in South Sudan

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that the current cholera outbreak in the Republic of South Sudan has recorded 21,000 cases and 367 deaths.

As of January 22, 2025, this cholera outbreak, which the government declared in October 2024, has been reported across seven states. The leading counties in this East African country are Rubkona, with 47% of total cases, followed by Juba, at around 10%.

The government launched oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaigns in four high-risk counties in January 2025 to address the rising number of cholera cases.

With support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, around 4 million vaccine doses have been approved, and around 910,000 doses have been administered.

The WHO previously prequalified several OCVs.

The WHO has recorded seven cholera pandemics over the past two centuries. The current (7th) cholera epidemic is considered to have started in 1961 and continues in forty-five countries in 2025, with a case fatality rate of 0.6%.

In 2025, cholera vaccination is recommended when visiting cholera outbreaks. Additionally, due to outbreaks in the region, the U.S. CDC recommends protecting visitors to South Sudan against measles and polio.

Travel vaccines and OCVs are offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.