The United Nations has issued a stark warning that Sudan’s cholera outbreak is worsening rapidly, as ongoing fighting and displacement cripple the country’s health system.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, Sudan has recorded 120,496 cases and 3,368 deaths since the outbreak began in mid-2024.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday that the fatality rate of 2.8% is almost three times the emergency threshold, calling it a sign that the epidemic is spiraling out of control.
“The situation demands an immediate scale-up of response efforts,” the WHO said, warning that the combination of war, flooding, and poor sanitation is fuelling the deadly spread.
The two-year war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has pushed millions from their homes, leaving many without access to clean water, sanitation, or healthcare. These conditions, experts say, are ideal for cholera transmission.
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The disease, typically spread through contaminated food and water, can kill within hours if untreated. Health facilities across Sudan are already overwhelmed, with medical supplies and staff in short supply.
“People are dying not only from bullets but from preventable diseases,” a WHO field officer said, describing the situation as “a humanitarian catastrophe within a war.”
Beyond the cholera outbreak, dengue fever and acute malnutrition are also spreading rapidly.
The UN says Sudan is now facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with famine threatening millions.
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Despite the army’s recent gains in Khartoum and other regions, the conflict shows no signs of ending, leaving aid agencies struggling to reach those in need.
The WHO and partner organisations have appealed for urgent funding and unhindered humanitarian access to contain the outbreak before it claims more lives.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
