GENEVA: More than 47,000 cholera cases were reported worldwide in September 2024, with deaths from the disease totaling 580, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The organization highlighted new outbreaks in Niger and Thailand.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the WHO’s September newsletter detailed that 47,234 cholera cases and approximately 583 deaths were recorded across 14 countries, territories, and areas spanning three of the organization’s regions. While the number of cholera cases decreased by 15% from the previous month, the mortality rate saw a significant increase of 89%. The breakdown of cases includes 17,856 in Afghanistan, 15,047 in Sudan, 5,521 in Pakistan, 3,615 in Nigeria, and 2,706 in Yemen.

From January 1 to September 29, the WHO recorded a total of 439,724 cholera cases and 3,432 related deaths globally. The highest concentrations of cases were reported in the East Mediterranean and African regions, with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, the Democratic Republic
of the Congo, and Ethiopia experiencing significant outbreaks. Afghanistan reported over 140,000 cases, Pakistan over 60,000, Yemen more than 36,000, the Democratic Republic of the Congo more than 25,000, and Ethiopia almost 24,000 cases year-to-date.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through contaminated food and water. The WHO continues to monitor and respond to outbreaks to mitigate the spread of this disease.