BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – A total of 90,049 cholera cases have been reported across 18 countries in the African Region by World Health Organization data as of June 28, with 1,528 associated deaths. Nigeria alone accounted for 26,848 cases and 181 fatalities during this period, including 19,887 new cases and 97 deaths in June. The rise in cholera cases has been particularly significant in Nigeria, especially in Borno State, which WHO states is responsible for over 95% of Nigeria’s cases in 2026, with Maiduguri, Jere, and Monguno among the most affected areas.
The European Commission has committed €2.3 million in emergency humanitarian aid to combat cholera outbreaks in West and Central Africa. This financial support aims to aid Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Chad. Officials explained that the funds will be directed towards treatment initiatives, surveillance efforts, access to clean water, and sanitation improvements. The announcement coincides with the escalation of cholera cases across several African nations during 2026.
Nigeria will benefit from €1.5 million, which constitutes the largest portion of the emergency fund. This money will be used to expand intervention teams and supply cholera kits along with other vital materials. It will also fund the treatment of public water points and household water supplies. Part of the aid will be allocated to enhance disease surveillance in difficult-to-reach regions. The program additionally emphasizes case management, risk communication, and community awareness as health teams strive to limit the spread of infection within affected communities.
According to WHO, 90,049 cholera cases and 1,528 deaths had been reported across 18 African countries by June 28. Nigeria’s figures include 26,848 cases and 181 deaths, with 19,887 new cases and 97 deaths reported just in June. Borno State, in particular, has seen over 95% of Nigeria’s cholera cases this year, with Maiduguri, Jere, and Monguno identified as the most impacted areas.
Funds Focus on Treatment, Water, and Surveillance Efforts
The Central African Republic will receive €500,000 to support case management, vaccination programs, and water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives. Additional funds will help strengthen disease surveillance, case detection, and community engagement activities. The aid will also support safe and respectful burials if needed during the outbreak response. As of June 28, WHO documented 386 cholera cases and 31 deaths in the country. The European Commission stated that this aid is part of its emergency humanitarian response to the outbreaks impacting these four nations.
Cameroon will get €100,000 to enhance containment efforts and patient care in affected villages. The support will provide for extra humanitarian personnel, essential medicines, cholera treatment facilities, and oral rehydration points. WHO reports 108 cases and six deaths in Cameroon through June 28. Chad will receive €200,000 to support water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives, as well as community surveillance and case management. During the same period, Chad recorded 109 cases and three deaths.
Nigeria’s Outbreak Surge Fuels Regional Increase in Cases
WHO indicated that the African Region saw 27,954 new cholera cases across 12 countries in June, marking a 95% rise from May, with 284 related deaths reported that month. Nigeria reported the highest number of new cases, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. The increase in Nigeria is mainly attributed to the outbreak in Borno State, where conflict, displacement, poor sanitation, and rainfall have heightened cholera transmission risk.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by consuming contaminated food or water with Vibrio cholerae bacteria, can cause rapid dehydration and requires swift medical intervention in severe cases. The EU’s funding will support efforts to break the chain of transmission and improve care access in affected regions. The total aid package for the four countries amounts to €2.3 million, focusing on treatment capacity, surveillance, vaccination where appropriate, safer water supply, sanitation, and community engagement during ongoing outbreak management.