Côte d'Ivoire: Cholera Outbreak - Jun 2025

On 05 June 2025, the Ministry of Health officially declared the cholera outbreak. This first outbreak in the past 15 years has arisen at the very start of the rainy season—a known aggravating factor that increases the spread of stagnant water and waterborne pathogens. Without rapid control, the outbreak could easily spread to other vulnerable urban areas of Abidjan. Since 25 May 2025, cases of severe acute diarrhea accompanied by vomiting and abdominal cramps have been reported in Ako Brakré, an isolated neighborhood within the Port-Bouët/Vridi health district, located in the Abidjan 2 health region. The initial cases, all from the same highly vulnerable community, emerged in an environment marked by the complete absence of latrines, open defecation into rudimentary latrines built on stilts over water, the direct discharge of human waste into the lagoon, consumption of contaminated water, and poor waste management. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae, leading declare the outbreak on 5 June 2025. As of 9 June, 46 confirmed cases have been recorded, including 7 deaths. (IFRC, 17 Jun 2025)