Central African Republic declares cholera outbreak after 24 deaths

Health authorities in the Central African Republic on Friday declared a cholera outbreak following the confirmation of 197 cases including 24 deaths in two health districts located southwest of the capital Bangui, according to local media reports citing Health Minister Pierre Somse.

Outbreak confirmed near Bangui

The infections were detected in the Bimbo and Mbaiki health districts, areas situated southwest of the capital, Radio Ndeke Luka reported. The Health Ministry has launched investigations to determine the origin of the epidemic, which officials identified as the fifth cholera outbreak to strike the country.

Regional disease pressures

The declaration comes as the Central African Republic simultaneously faces potential Ebola outbreaks originating in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Cholera affected 23 African nations last year, according to UNICEF, while the World Health Organization noted that cases in Southern Africa surged more than sevenfold during the first six weeks of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

The spike in Southern Africa has been driven by severe flooding from cyclones, the WHO said, exacerbating conditions for waterborne disease transmission. Somse urged citizens to maintain strict hygiene practices — the disease spreads through contaminated food or water — and exercise collective responsibility in raising awareness to reduce infection risks as authorities implement preventive measures across affected villages.