Sudan sees sharp decline in cholera cases as response efforts continue

EXTRACTO DEL FEED · ATRIBUIDO AL MEDIO

Country: Sudan

Source: World Health Organization

24 September 2026, Khartoum, Sudan – Cholera cases in Sudan, where a cholera outbreak was declared in June 2026, have declined sharply in recent weeks. A total of eight cases and no deaths were reported in the week ending on 11 September 2026, compared with a peak of 421 cases in the week ending on 3 July. The decline follows months of intensified efforts by health authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and health partners to detect, prevent and treat cholera across affected and high-risk areas.

The outbreak, which began in Al Nuhud locality in West Kordofan in May, has spread to 20 localities across six states. A total of 2955 cases and 250 associated deaths have been reported, representing a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 8.4%, well above the less than 1% WHO threshold for cholera.

“The sharp decline in cases is encouraging, but we must remain vigilant and maintain surveillance and response capacity, particularly in areas affected by insecurity, displacement, poor access and the rainy season,” said WHO Representative in Sudan Dr Abdinasir Abubakar.

Federal and State Ministries of Health, WHO and health partners launched a multisectoral response to the outbreak despite significant access challenges, particularly in affected and at-risk localities in the Kordofan and Darfur regions. WHO coordinated with the Health Cluster and WASH partners to strengthen surveillance, case management, laboratory capacity, vaccination, WASH and preparedness.

WHO prepositioned 60 metric tons of cholera supplies across Sudan, sufficient to support treatment for an estimated 120 000 cases. WHO also strengthened disease surveillance, retrained and deployed 60 rapid response teams to investigate alerts and initiate early response measures, and trained 120 frontline health workers in cholera case management and infection prevention and control.

Through partners operating on the ground, WHO supported the operationalization of 17 cholera treatment centres and 18 oral rehydration points in affected localities, and strengthened laboratory capacity by training microbiologists in the diagnosis of cholera and other enteric pathogens.

Oral cholera vaccination was a key component of the response. In collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), WHO provided technical, operational and financial support for campaigns in three localities in West Kordofan and one locality each in both North and South Darfur, reaching 915 377 people. Coverage reached nearly 100% in West Kordofan and 99.7% in South Darfur. In Tawila, North Darfur, where displaced communities remain at heightened risk, a preventive campaign reached 87% of the target population.

Despite the decline in case numbers, risk of renewed transmission remains, particularly in areas where access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene and health services is limited. Working with health authorities and partners, WHO will maintain surveillance and response capacity to detect and contain any resurgence.

WHO’s preparedness for and response to cholera in Sudan has been made possible through the financial support of European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Central Emergency Fund and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei.

Sudan is also responding to other outbreaks, including dengue, malaria, measles and meningitis, for which WHO continues to provide technical and operational support, including strengthening surveillance and the provision of essential medicines and medical supplies.

Severe funding constraints are limiting WHO’s ability to fully scale up emergency operations. Of the US$ 97 million required by WHO for its humanitarian response in Sudan in 2026, only 19.3% has been funded, placing critical response activities under significant financial pressure.

WHO is committed to protecting the health of the people of Sudan and calls on donors and partners to stand together to fill the funding gap, stop the needless suffering and help ensure that everyone, everywhere in Sudan can access health services and is protected from disease outbreaks.