Congo (RC), Brazzaville - Cholera outbreak 2025

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Cholera epidemic: two cases confirmed on Mbamou Island

Sunday, July 27, 2025 - 2:13 PM

The Minister of Health and Population, Professor Jean Rosaire Ibara, issued a statement on July 26 in which he announced cases of cholera contamination in the district of Mbamou Island, department of Brazzaville.

In his statement, the Minister of Health and Population stated that after tests on three patients suffering from diarrhea, two cases tested positive for cholera. The disease screening was carried out in collaboration with experts from the World Health Organization. " In light of these results and in accordance with the provisions of International Health Regulation 2025, to which the Republic of Congo is a signatory, the government, through me, declares a cholera epidemic in the health district of Mabamou Island, Brazzaville department. To date, 103 suspected cases, including 12 probable cases, all of whom have died, have been recorded there ," the statement noted.

However, the government reassures the population that officials and agents of the Ministry of Health and Population are working on the ground to control the epidemic. It urges the public to seek immediate medical attention in the event of any suspected case.

Professor Jean Rosaire Ibara also reminded everyone that cholera is a highly contagious diarrheal disease caused by a Gram-negative bacillus, Vibrocholera. It manifests as watery diarrhea that can have a "rice water" appearance, causing rapid loss of water and salt from the body. These losses can lead to death within hours if left untreated.

The disease is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food and beverages and through the fecal-oral route. To protect against this pathology, the government encourages the population to observe the measures provided for this purpose. This involves washing hands regularly and properly with clean water and soap, or using a hydroalcoholic solution; drinking only potable water. If potable water is not available, water purification tablets, filters, or chlorine should be purchased. Food should be thoroughly washed before consumption; only safe foods should be eaten by cooking them properly and eating them hot; keeping food covered and not eating raw foods.

https://www.adiac-congo.com/content/epidemie-de-cholera-deux-cas-confirmes-lile-mbamou-166028
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​Ministry of Health and Population CONGO
17h ·
·
HEALTH ALERT - CHOLERA OUTBREAK DECLARED

The Ministry of Health and Population officially declares a cholera epidemic in the health district of Mbamou Island, department of Brazzaville.

CURRENT SITUATION:

103 suspected cases identified
12 probable cases confirmed
2 samples positive for Vibrio cholerae out of 3 analyzed
Investigation team deployed with WHO

SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR:

• Severe watery diarrhea
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Rapid dehydration

ESSENTIAL PROTECTION MEASURES:

Frequent hand washing with soap and water
Drinking water consumption only
Complete cooking of food
Avoid raw foods

IMMEDIATELY CONSULT the nearest health center if you experience symptoms.

Medical teams are mobilized 24 hours a day.
Together, let's protect our community!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=722430690697379

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DECLARATION OF A CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IN THE HEALTH DISTRICT OF MBAMOU ISLAND, DEPARTMENT OF BRAZZAVILLE

• July 27, 2025
• 23:02

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Ministry of Health and Population was informed on July 10, 2025, of the appearance of several cases of diarrhea in the health district of Ile Mbamou, department of Brazzaville, clinically accompanied by:

• Fever;
• Vomiting;
• The emission of liquid stools.

Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Health and Population, in collaboration with the WHO, has deployed a team for in-depth investigation.

After taking and analyzing 3 samples at the National Public Health Laboratory in Brazzaville, 2 were found to be positive for Vibrio cholerea serogroup O1 serotype Ogawa .

In view of these results and in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) to which the Republic of Congo is a signatory, the Government of the Republic, through me, declares a cholera epidemic in the health district of Mbamou Island, department of Brazzaville.

To date, 103 suspected cases, including 12 probable cases (all deceased), have been recorded.

This confirmation of the cholera epidemic in our country comes in a regional context marked by the resurgence of cholera in neighboring countries, particularly in Angola, with confirmed cases in the province of Kabinda and in the Democratic Republic of Congo with confirmed cases in Kinshasa and in the province of Equateur.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Cholera is a highly contagious diarrheal disease caused by a Gram-negative bacillus, Vibrio cholerae.

It manifests as watery diarrhea that may have a "rice water" appearance. Watery diarrhea causes rapid loss of water and salts from the body (dehydration), and these losses can lead to death within hours if left untreated.

The disease is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food and drinks, and through the fecal-oral route.

To protect themselves from this disease, the Government invites the population to observe the following measures:

• Wash your hands regularly and properly with clean water and soap or using a hydroalcoholic solution;

• Drink only potable water. If potable water is not available, water purification tablets, filters, or chlorine should be used. If the water is cloudy/dirty, it should be boiled first;
• Wash food thoroughly before eating;
• Eat only safe foods by cooking them properly and eating them hot;
• Keep food covered;
• Do not eat raw foods.

The Government reassures the population that the executives and agents of the Ministry of Health and Population are working on the ground to control this epidemic. It urges the population to seek immediate medical attention in the event of any suspected case.
Done in Brazzaville, July 26, 20

​https://sante.gouv.cg/declaration-d...re-de-lile-mbamou-departement-de-brazzaville/

 

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Publications

Cholera epidemic: situation report No. 1

SITREP N°01 CHOLERA REPUBLIC OF CONGO AS OF JULY 25, 2025 - VF.pdf

https://www.afro.who.int/fr/countri...pidemie-de-cholera-rapport-de-situation-ndeg1
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Publications

Epidémie de choléra : rapport de situation N°2

SITREP N°02 CHOLERA REPUBLIQUE DU CONGO AU 31 JUILLET 2025-.pdf​

https://www.afro.who.int/fr/countri...pidemie-de-cholera-rapport-de-situation-ndeg2
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Translation Google

Congo: Sanitary cordon after the recording of several cases of cholera
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Published by journaldebrazza.com August 4, 2025

A cholera epidemic management system has been put in place after several suspected cases were recorded in the country.

No fewer than six deaths and 187 suspected cases of cholera. This is the toll reported by health authorities in the Republic of Congo. The deaths were recorded on Mbamou Island, located on the Congo River and part of Brazzaville. It should be noted that the exact causes of death have yet to be determined.

To prevent the spread of the disease, health authorities said they had established a sanitary cordon and a national technical coordination unit bringing together the Ministry of Health, humanitarian partners, and water and environmental services.

" Today, since cholera has been confirmed, there are six confirmed cases. There have been deaths, but we don't actually know the cause of the deaths. Because whether there is an epidemic or not, people die, " explains Professor Jean-Médard Nkankou, Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control.

Also known as dirty hands disease, cholera causes diarrhea and vomiting. To avoid catching it, authorities recommend washing your hands regularly with soap; boiling water before drinking it; and, above all, avoiding certain uncooked foods.

https://www.journaldebrazza.com/con...-lenregistrement-de-plusieurs-cas-de-cholera/
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Publications

Cholera epidemic: situation report No. 3

SITREP N03 CHOLERA REPUBLIC OF CONGO AS OF AUGUST 2, 2025.pdf

https://www.afro.who.int/fr/countri...pidemie-de-cholera-rapport-de-situation-ndeg3
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Special Briefing on Mpox & other Health Emergencies || Aug. 7, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUG0z6BayiU​

 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcimMmmIeIM​

 

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Cholera epidemic declining in Congo

21 October 2025

Brazzaville – The cholera epidemic is significantly declining in Congo. No confirmed cases were reported between 15 and 16 October 2025. This progress is the result of strengthened response efforts led by the Ministry of Health and Population, with support from partners including World Health Organization (WHO).

“Before the cholera treatment centre was established, we recorded deaths due to the disease. But since the CTC opened in early August, no cholera-related deaths have been reported in our health area,” said Dr Juicael Bokoba, care coordinator at the Integrated Health Centre (CSI) in Loukoléla.

Mossaka-Loukoléla is one of four districts affected by the cholera outbreak in Congo, accounting for 52% of the 808 cases reported nationally as of 16 October 2025, including 66 confirmed and 742 suspected cases. To strengthen patient care, WHO, through the Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE), set up four cholera treatment centres (CTCs) in the affected districts, including one at the CSI in Loukoléla.

Alongside equipping the centres and deploying rapid response and mobile lab teams, WHO trained 88 frontline workers in case management, infection prevention and control. The organization also delivered over 14 tons of medical supplies, including medicines, water treatment products and lab kits.

With these kits available, Ghislain Dzeret Indolo, one of the lab technicians deployed in the field, ensures thorough detection using the mobile lab. “Around the Congo River, diarrhoea cases are common, but not all are cholera. That’s why it’s important to test for antigens and other causes,” he explained. “We trace the causes and analyse for co-infections.”

Thanks to improved equipment and strengthened health worker capacity, patient care has significantly improved and hospital deaths have decreased. Of the 67 deaths recorded since the outbreak began, 56 (83.6%) occurred in the community and 11 (16.4%) in health facilities.

Since most deaths occurred in the community, health authorities have intensified risk communication and community engagement efforts. A total of 173 community health workers have been trained. Their role is to raise awareness about seeking care at the first signs of symptoms and promote preventive measures.

“We received training from the WHO team on how to raise awareness, treat drinking water to prevent cholera and adopt hygiene measures,” said David Akini Maya, a community health worker in Mossaka. “We’re often consulted by the community. Our awareness sessions have a strong impact because we share useful information and distribute chlorine tablets to purify water. We also teach them how to treat water to prevent the disease.”

To improve access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation, around 100 health professionals were trained, with WHO’s support, in water treatment and quality monitoring in health centres and communities. Treating drinking water with chlorine is a key measure to break the transmission chain.

“When we add chlorine to water, it kills microbes and prevents diarrheal diseases. Drinking chlorinated water protects us,” explained Mamadou Zongo, health logistician at WHO’s Regional Office for Africa. “If chlorine isn’t available, we recommend boiling the water and letting it cool for at least 10 minutes before drinking.”

Françoise Komboli, a 36-year-old resident of Mossaka, is now putting these and other measures into practice. She nearly lost her two-year-old daughter to cholera. “Around 4 p.m., my daughter started vomiting and had diarrhoea. By 7 p.m., her condition got worse. I had to take her to the hospital,” she recalled. “At the hospital, they took excellent care of her. Without that quick intervention, my daughter might not be alive today. The nurses did a great job. I thank the hospital team for saving her.”

Every recovered patient is a step closer to ending the cholera epidemic in Congo. “Our hope is to end this outbreak quickly and continue our shared journey to strengthen the country’s health system,” concluded Dr Vincent Dossou Sodjinou, WHO Representative in Congo.
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https://www.afro.who.int/countries/congo/news/cholera-epidemic-declining-congo