Attachments
Highlights
Data as of 20 March 2023
• Since the last disease outbreak news on the global cholera situation was published on 11 February 2023, the global situation has further deteriorated with four new countries reporting outbreaks. In total, 24 countries are currently reporting cases.
• Since the beginning of 2023, outbreaks have spread further in south-east Africa. The widespread and extended outbreaks in Malawi and Mozambique remain active, and the risk for further deterioration after the impact of cyclone Freddy in March is very concerning. Additional outbreaks have been reported in Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia since the start of the year.
• In the greater Horn of Africa, outbreaks continue in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. In March, South Sudan reported a new outbreak in the region.
• The overall capacity to respond to the multiple and simultaneous outbreaks continues to be strained due to the global lack of resources, including shortages of the oral cholera vaccine, as well as overstretched public health and medical personnel, who are dealing with multiple disease outbreaks and other health emergencies at the same time.
• Based on the current situation, including the increasing number of outbreaks and their geographic expansion, as well as a lack of vaccines and other resources, WHO assesses the risk at the global level as very high.