DR Congo: Cholera cases spike amid fight against Ebola

The cholera epidemic continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where more than 125,000 suspected cases and 3,644 suspected deaths were recorded between January 2025 and the end of September 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday.Key pointsWhile the country is battling Ebola in the restive east, cholera is gaining ground in several regions, fueled by a lack of access to clean water and sanitation infrastructureSince the beginning of 2026, more than 51,412 suspected cholera cases, including 1,487 deaths, have been reported in 21 provinces: WHOHealth authorities recorded 2,932 suspected cases and 86 deaths from 21 to 28 September, compared to 2,506 cases and 62 deaths the previous weekCholera is a severe diarrhoeal disease that can be fatal within hours if not treatedQuick access to treatment is crucial and access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene is essential to prevent choleraRegions hit hardestThe provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu and Haut-Katanga account for nearly 60 per cent of reported suspected cases.Transmission remains high in provinces where cholera is endemic.During the latest surveillance period, four new health zone...