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Situation Update
In July 2025, a cholera outbreak was declared in the Republic of Congo. By the end of 2025, a total of 826 suspected cases of cholera, and 67 deaths were reported, with a case fatality rate (CFR1) of 8%, distributed as follows: Mbamou Island: 336 cases, 12 deaths (3.6%); Talangaï: 10 cases, 1 death (10%); Mossaka: 432 cases, 54 deaths (12.5%); and Gamboma: 59 cases.
However, after nine weeks without any suspected or confirmed cases, a resurgence of cholera was reported in Mbamou Island (Brazzaville Department) and in the Congo-Oubangui Department in February 2026. As of March 11, there has been 196 suspected cholera cases reported since 13 February 2026, mainly in in Mossaka and Mbamou Island Districts, with four laboratory‑confirmed cases in the Liranga Health District of (Congo‑Oubangui Department), three laboratory-confirmed cases in Mbamou Island Health District. A total of eight deaths has been reported. In addition, a third cholera hotspot was identified in early March with 14 alerts and five deaths reported in the Impfondo health district in the Likouala Department, which borders the Central African Republic. The cholera outbreak affects 16.4% of children under 5 years old and 17% of children aged 5–14 among the suspected cases.
To date, the cumulative number of cases has reached 997, with a CFR of 8.3 per cent, which is significantly higher than the average CFR of 2.2% reported in other African countries currently facing cholera outbreaks. The most affected districts include Liranga, Mossaka–Lokolela (Congo-Oubangui Department), Impfondo District (Likouala Department) and Mbamou Island (Brazzaville Department), and Makotimpoko (Nkeni-Alima Department). These areas are located along a transboundary river corridor with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has facilitated the spread of the disease. The recent increase in cases reflects persistent structural and behavioral risk factors, including gaps in sustained access to safe drinking water, continued open defecation practices, and sub‑optimal hygiene behaviors, which are further exacerbated by frequent cross‑river food exchanges between communities. These challenges highlight the difficulty of achieving lasting behavior change in highly mobile and resource‑constrained settings.
This resurgence is occurring within a notably sensitive context, a persistent Mpox outbreak, and rising influenza cases across several localities. Collectively, these circumstances present a considerable risk for further worsening the epidemiological situation unless hygiene and prevention measures are substantially strengthened. Additionally, the resurgence coincides with the ongoing school year, thereby increasing risks to children and adolescents. It is therefore crucial to intensify response initiatives, especially those focused on curbing the geographical spread of the outbreak.
UNICEF continues to provide high-level technical support and guidance to national authorities and local stakeholders, in close collaboration with WHO. These efforts are contributing to system strengthening and to sustainable cholera prevention and response. In parallel, UNICEF is supporting field-level operations, including risk communication, community engagement on hygiene practices and healthy behaviors, water treatment, household disinfection, and hygiene promotion around suspected cases.