ISTANBUL 

Nigeria and Angola have started 2025 grappling with cholera outbreaks, marked by rising cases and fatalities.

Nigeria confirmed its first cholera outbreak of the year in Rivers State, reporting nine deaths.

Rivers State officials confirmed three deaths in Andoni and six in Akuku-Toru local government areas.

Authorities are monitoring 41 suspected cases across both regions, the Premium Times reported.

“Rivers is particularly prone to outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea and cholera during the dry seasons,” said Ada Oreh, the state health commissioner.

Oreh emphasized that cholera bacteria spread through contaminated water, food, and surfaces, thriving in areas with inadequate sanitation and hygiene.

In October 2024, Nigeria received 600,000 additional doses of the cholera vaccine to contain an outbreak in northeastern Borno State caused by devastating floods. Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 29, 2024, Nigeria reported around 11,000 suspected cases and 359 deaths across 36 states, according to the WHO.

Angola is also experiencing a cholera outbreak, with 422 cases and 24 deaths reported since Jan. 5, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

In the past 24 hours, Angola recorded 39 new cases, mostly in the capital, Luanda.

Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease, can kill within hours if untreated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), annual global cholera cases range between 1.3 million and 4 million, with 21,000 to 143,000 deaths. Cholera cases in Africa have been on the rise in recent years, with at least 14 countries affected.