Cholera Outbreak Confirms 3.9% Case Fatality Rate

As the seventh cholera pandemic continues in three World Health Organization (WHO) regions in late March 2025, countries in Africa have been severely impacted by these acute diarrheal infections.

Since January 2025, the Republic of Angola has been experiencing a significant cholera outbreak. The disease can cause severe acute watery diarrhea, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality.

As of March 23, 2025, a total of 8,543 cases and 329 deaths have been reported, resulting in a case fatality rate of 3.9% in this northwestern African country.

The outbreak has spread rapidly to 16 of Angola's 21 provinces, with the highest burden among those under 20. 

Angola shares borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, both of which are currently experiencing cholera outbreaks. 

As of March 29, 2025, the WHO's Disease Outbreak News wrote, 'Given the rapidly evolving nature of the outbreak, the ongoing rainy season, and cross-border movement with neighboring countries, the WHO assesses the risk of further transmission in Angola and surrounding areas as very high.'

Furthermore, due to the cholera outbreak, the WHO does not recommend travel or trade restrictions to and from Angola.

To reduce this outbreak, Angola's Ministry of Health, with support from others, carried out a five-day reactive vaccination campaign in January 2025. Over 900,000 people were vaccinated, and 700,000 additional doses of oral cholera vaccines arrived in the country in mid-March for a second reactive campaign.

While the U.S. CDC has not issued a Travel Health Advisory regarding Angola's outbreak, the agency writes, 'cholera vaccination may be considered for children and adults traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.'

In the United States, cholera vaccines are offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in 2025.