Democratic Republic of Congo: Cholera epidemic rapidly spreading across the country
A swiftly coordinated international humanitarian response is needed to contain the spread of the disease.
One of the worst cholera outbreaks in a decade is spreading across Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but the healthcare system remains unequipped to respond to and slow down an outbreak of this scale, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns.
Twenty of the country’s 26 provinces are now affected. From January to mid-October, more than 58,000 suspected cases and more than 1,700 deaths have been recorded, according to data from the Ministry of Health (MoH). Faced with this rapid spread, immediate and reinforced mobilization of national authorities, humanitarian agencies and international partners is essential to contain the spread of the disease.
The situation continues to worsen, spreading to new health zones, including provinces where cholera was not previously endemic. Floods, conflicts, displacement and inadequate sanitation and water supply systems have contributed to fuelling widespread epidemics of water-borne diseases. As the rainy season approaches, the situation is likely to deteriorate, further increasing the risk of disease transmission and contamination.
“We are working with local health ministry staff to try to contain the disease. But the scale of the crisis requires urgent mobilization of all partners, even in remote areas.”
Ton Berg, MSF program manager in South Kivu
“The rapid spread of the epidemic across the country this year is of particular concern to us, especially during the rainy season,” says Jean-Gilbert Ndong, MSF physician and medical coordinator in DRC. “We fear further outbreaks if urgent measures are not taken.”
Since January 2025, MSF has stepped up our response to the disease in several provinces, including North and South Kivu, Maniema, Sankuru, Tshopo, Equateur, Kinshasa, Mai-Ndombe, Haut-Katanga and Tanganyika. Teams remain mobilized in the most affected areas, such as Fizi, in South Kivu, and Konga Konga, in Tshopo. Since January, we have carried out 16 emergency interventions in support of the MoH, treating more than 35,800 patients and vaccinating more than 22,000 people against the disease.
“At this critical stage, only a general mobilization will make it possible to contain the disease and slow down the alarming spread of epidemic outbreaks,” says Ndong.
Efforts are struggling to keep pace with the spread
The cholera response faces major obstacles, including insufficient funding by the Congolese government, limited presence of humanitarian agencies and lack of coordination in the emergency response mechanism. At the same time, weak surveillance and case identification systems, a lack of medical personnel and supplies and limited vaccine distribution further compromise the implementation of a rapid, effective and sustainable response.
“Wherever our teams are working, the situation is alarming: existing structures are not equipped to deal with cholera and there is a shortage of medical supplies and vaccines,” says Ton Berg, MSF program manager in South Kivu. “We are working with local health ministry staff to try to contain the disease. But the scale of the crisis requires urgent mobilization of all partners, even in remote areas. The Congolese government and humanitarian agencies must strengthen financial and medical resources, particularly the distribution and delivery of vaccines, as well as the emergency response mechanism to support the response against cholera.”
Cholera is a highly contagious bacterial infection. Although it is treatable and preventable, without proper care, it can quickly become fatal. Poor hygiene conditions, insufficient access to clean water and lack of sanitation can all contribute to the disease’s spread. This poses a particular challenge in densely populated areas, especially in large cities such as Kinshasa and in rural areas with high concentrations of people who are internally displaced.
MSF teams have had to step up their efforts to fill the gaps left by the weak emergency response mechanisms of the health authorities and other agencies. To slow the spread of the disease, MSF is supporting the MoH to deliver medical care in specialized treatment centres, training community health workers, setting up chlorination points and strengthening water and sanitation systems.
“We call for coordinated and urgent action to ensure the rapid provision of medical care, including unimpeded access and sustainable investment in access to safe drinking water and sanitation,” says Berg.
Behind every intervention, access to healthcare is limited
While MSF teams race to respond to outbreaks, access to cholera patients is hampered by significant challenges: logistical difficulties, security risks, administrative barriers and supply issues. For example, the months-long closure of Bukavu and Goma airports has hampered the main routes for transporting supplies to the east of the country.
In the Fizi health zone in South Kivu, the presence of humanitarian partners remains limited and virtually none are specifically involved in the cholera response.
“Persistent insecurity, marked by clashes between armed groups along the main roads, hinders movement and delays the delivery of assistance, forcing teams to make long detours to avoid risky areas,” says Berg.
Access to healthcare is also a huge challenge for communities. Long distances, lack of transport and security concerns make it difficult to reach medical facilities. Once there, these centres are often under-equipped and unable to meet people’s basic needs, leaving the communities’ most at-risk without essential care.
Cholera must be placed at the top of the national agenda as a major threat to public health in DRC. MSF calls for coordinated action to ensure the rapid provision of medical care, including the availability of vaccines, unhindered access and sustainable investment in access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
