Cholera in Africa: Current trends, challenges, and control towards elimination strategies

Abstract

Cholera remains a substantial public health challenge in Africa, despite the availability of effective vaccines, treatment, and preventive measures. Systemic issues such as inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, weak disease surveillance, socio-economic disparities, and ongoing conflict and instability drive its persistence. This article provides the current situation of cholera in Africa, highlighting systemic barriers to control, including data deficiencies, limited diagnostic capacity, and infrastructural deficits. Crucially, we underline the importance of integrated strategies encompassing enhanced surveillance, targeted vaccination campaigns, WASH improvements, and addressing social determinants like poverty and displacement. Strengthening multisectoral and multidisciplinary collaborations and leveraging technological innovations are vital steps toward eliminating cholera in Africa. Achieving this goal requires sustained political commitment, increased resource mobilization, and context-specific solutions tailored to the diverse challenges faced by vulnerable communities.