Multi-Country Cholera Outbreak Causes 808 Fatalities in 2025

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the seven cholera epidemic is considered to have started in 1961 and continues in March 2025.

So far, in 2025, a cumulative total of 70,488 cholera cases and 808 deaths were reported from 23 countries across three WHO regions.

In February 2025 alone, 459 cholera-related fatalities were confirmed, representing a 32% increase in January.

To help reduce cholera outbreaks, Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) production has remained high, reflecting significant efforts by the supplier and partners. The average OCV stockpile has recently stabilized at 5.5 million doses in February.

However, the WHO's external situation report #24 stated on March 20, 205, that the growing global demand continues to exceed supply, hindering efforts to control cholera outbreaks, respond rapidly to the disease’s spread, and implement preventative campaigns.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through food and water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, often from feces.

While cholera vaccination is not generally recommended for all international travelers, it is what the U.S. CDC suggested when visiting cholera outbreak zones.

In the United States, travel clinics and pharmacies currently have an ample supply of OCVs.