At least 3,644 people had died from cholera in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the end of September 2026, as the country battles a surge in infections alongside a separate Ebola outbreak, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The cholera outbreak has reportedly resulted in more than 125,000 suspected cases, with limited access to clean water and adequate sanitation contributing to the spread of the disease and placing additional strain on the country’s already overstretched healthcare system.
Since the beginning of 2026, more than 51,412 suspected cases, including 1,487 deaths, have been reported across 21 provinces, according to WHO figures provided in the report.
The situation worsened during the week ending September 28, when health authorities recorded 2,932 suspected cases and 86 deaths. This represented an increase from the previous week, when 2,506 cases and 62 deaths were reported.
South Kivu, North Kivu and Haut-Katanga account for nearly 60 per cent of suspected cholera infections. Transmission remains high in areas where the disease is already endemic.
During the latest surveillance period, four additional health zones reported cases, including three in Tshuapa Province and one in South Kivu.
Insecurity Hampers Response Efforts
Efforts to contain the outbreak have been complicated by insecurity and logistical difficulties, particularly in eastern DRC, where ongoing violence has restricted medical teams’ access to some affected communities, including Kibua and Masisi.
WHO has also warned that the long distances separating remote villages from healthcare facilities are delaying treatment and increasing the risk of fatalities.
Environmental factors are contributing to the spread of the disease. The use of contaminated well water and rainfall that introduces pollutants into household water sources can increase the risk of infection.
In response, health teams are preparing to establish four water chlorination sites in the worst-affected areas of North Kivu.
In Tanganyika Province, authorities are planning disinfection operations targeting nearly 4,000 households and 5,900 latrines to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Preparations are also underway for an oral cholera vaccination campaign targeting islands along the Congo River corridor. Meanwhile, the DRC and neighbouring Republic of Congo are working on a joint cross-border vaccination strategy.
In South Kivu, targeted vaccination campaigns are continuing in the Mulungu and Shabunda health zones, alongside community sensitisation efforts aimed at preventing new infections.
Cholera and Ebola Put Healthcare System Under Pressure
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can cause death within hours if left untreated. WHO emphasises that timely medical care, access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation and good hygiene practices are essential to controlling outbreaks and preventing deaths.
The cholera emergency comes as the DRC continues to respond to a separate Ebola outbreak, placing further pressure on its healthcare system and public health resources.
According to the latest WHO data cited in the report, the Ebola outbreak has resulted in 9,066 cases and 4,381 deaths across seven provinces and 65 health zones, representing a case fatality rate of 48.3 per cent. A total of 2,389 recoveries were also recorded.
The simultaneous outbreaks present a major public health challenge for the country, particularly in areas where insecurity, limited infrastructure and barriers to accessing healthcare are complicating emergency response efforts.
