Cholera outbreak in Cameroon

In late October 2021, a cholera outbreak was reported in the Central African country of Cameroon. By November 8, a total of 32 cholera cases and five related deaths were reported in Southwest Region (1), a region already affected by violence and disruptions in access to water and sanitation in remote areas (2). The outbreak then spread to other regions including Littoral, Centre and South, followed by Far North Region (2). The regions affected early on also lacked qualified healthcare staff, which hindered community awareness and sample collection (3).

As of April 3, the country has reported 4,634 cholera cases and 105 deaths (case fatality: 2.3%). The epidemic has already affected six of ten regions: Southwest, Littoral, Centre, South, Far North and North (4). Southwest Region is the most affected region with 3,558 cases and 71 deaths (case fatality: 2%), as violence and disruptions in access to basic services continue. Violence has also hampered humanitarian aid for affected people in the region (4).

Although Cameroon has often been affected by cholera, the country has not experienced a cholera epidemic of this scale for over a decade (5).