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Key points
- While the country is battling Ebola in the volatile east, cholera is starting to spread in some areas, fueled by a lack of access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure.
- Since the start of 2026, more than 51,412 suspected cholera cases, including 1,487 deaths, have been reported in 21 provinces: WHO
- Health authorities recorded 2,932 suspected cases and 86 deaths from September 21 to 28, compared with 2,506 cases and 62 deaths in the previous week.
- Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease that can be fatal within hours if left untreated
- Rapid access to treatment is critical and access to clean water, basic sanitation and hygiene is critical to preventing cholera
The areas most affected
The provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu and Haut-Katanga accounted for nearly 60 percent of reported suspected cases of the disease.
Transmission is still high in provinces where cholera is endemic.
During the last monitoring period, four new health zones were impactedthree in Tshuapa province and one in South Kivu.
Security and logistical challenges
However, emergency response operations face security and logistical challenges.
In the eastern part of the country, insecurity limits medical teams’ access to certain areasespecially Kibua and Masisi. The remoteness of villages from health facilities also delays treatment, increases the risk of death, WHO be warned.
Environmental conditions also makes the situation worse.
The use of well water and rainfall, which can carry contaminated water to sources used by households, encourage transmission of the disease.
To reduce the risk of contamination, emergency response teams are preparing to install four water chlorination sites in the most affected areas of North Kivu and, in Tanganyika, there are plans to disinfect nearly 4,000 households and 5,900 latrines.
Cross-border vaccine campaign
Preparations for the oral vaccination campaign are also continuing on the islands along the Congo River corridor.
Congo and the Republic of the Congo are developing a joint cross-border vaccination plan.
In South Kivu, reactive vaccination campaigns continue in the Mulungu and Shabunda health zones, alongside community awareness activities.
Ebola: 9,000 cases
This increase in cholera occurred when Congo faced a crisis Ebola an epidemic that severely strains the country’s health capacity.
According to the latest WHO data published on Tuesday, 9,066 cases and 4,381 deaths it has been recorded in seven provinces and 65 health zones, with a death rate of 48.3 percent. The report also shows 2,389 people recovered.
In Congo, the response continues with the support of WHO and its partners. In Haut-Uele province, the Ebola treatment center in Isiro has been expanded to accommodate more patients, while maintaining essential health services at the city’s main public referral hospital.
WHO also sent an additional ton of medical supplies to support operations in the field.
Uganda, Kenya are affected
The outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo type of Ebola virus has also raised concerns in neighboring countries.
After reporting 20 cases and two deaths, Uganda was declared Ebola-free in August.
Last week, Kenya confirmed in Nairobi the death of a Kenyan citizen infected with the virus after traveling from Congo via Uganda.
This is the first imported case reported by the country in connection with the outbreak, with media reports indicating a possible second Ebola case.
