Cholera cases in West and Central Africa have surged sharply, largely due to extreme rains connected to climate change.
Between January 2023 and January 2024, cholera outbreaks were reported in 19 African countries, resulting in over 252,000 cases and more than 4,000 deaths.
This troubling rise shows the urgent need to tackle the related issues of climate change, public health, and water management.
Climate change is playing a big role in spreading cholera. The increasing intensity of extreme weather, like heavy rain and flooding, creates ideal conditions for the transmission of the Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
When heavy rains fall, they can overwhelm sanitation systems and contaminate water supplies.
Communities that rely on these contaminated sources face a higher risk of cholera outbreaks.
For example, flash floods can wipe out sanitation infrastructure, leaving people no choice but to use unsafe water for drinking and cooking.
Malawi is one of the hardest-hit countries, currently facing its largest cholera outbreak in history.
At its peak, the country was seeing up to 700 new cases daily, with a death rate much higher than normal.
Tropical storms and heavy rains have made weak water and sanitation systems even worse.
Flooding has displaced many people, pushing them into crowded living conditions with limited access to clean water, which is helping the disease spread even more.
Climate change doesn’t just cause flooding; it also leads to severe droughts, which reduce access to clean water.
In areas facing drought, remaining water sources often become overused and contaminated as communities try to meet their basic needs.

HAVE YOU READ?

Clean Cooking Solutions Address Climate Challenges at Africa Energy Market

This combination of floods and droughts makes it harder to control cholera and other waterborne diseases.
To address this crisis, better water management is essential. Many parts of Africa lack proper infrastructure for clean water and sanitation.
Investment in sustainable water management is key to reducing the impact of climate change on public health.
This means improving water systems, like building wells and water treatment plants, to ensure safe drinking water is available even during extreme weather.
Public health systems also need to be strengthened to respond quickly to cholera outbreaks.
This includes better early detection of outbreaks and making vaccines more available to those at risk.
Teaching people about hygiene can also help communities take action to protect themselves from cholera.
Community involvement is crucial in fighting cholera outbreaks. When local people are part of the decision-making process, the efforts are more likely to fit the community’s specific needs.
Educating residents about safe water use and proper sanitation can greatly reduce the risk of cholera.
Moving forward, it’s clear that an integrated approach is needed to tackle the overlapping challenges of climate change and public health.
Governments and policymakers must focus on both climate adaptation and strengthening public health systems to better protect communities from future outbreaks.
By addressing the root causes tied to climate change and improving water management, we can help prevent future outbreaks and protect public health across Africa.
The time for action is now, as vulnerable populations face increasing risks from both environmental changes and diseases like cholera.