Port Sudan, Sudan, 8 March 2026 — On 3 March 2026, Sudan declared the end of its cholera outbreak, following 48 days without any reported cases — well beyond the two full incubation periods of 10 days required by WHO to formally declare an outbreak over. The last case was reported on 14 January 2026. The declaration marks the conclusion of an epidemic that began in July 2024, spread to all 18 states of Sudan, and resulted in 124,418 cases and 3,573 deaths.
Origins and Spread
Cholera cases were first detected in Kassala State in late July 2024, prompting the Federal Ministry of Health to declare an outbreak in August 2024. The disease subsequently spread across the entire country, reaching every one of Sudan's 18 states.
The outbreak was driven by disruptions to water and sanitation systems, population displacement, flooding, and limited access to health care services. With over half of Sudan's population — 33.7 million people — in need of humanitarian assistance, 21 million requiring health support, and 13.6 million displaced, the conditions for cholera transmission were pervasive.
Response and Containment
WHO supported and coordinated the response alongside the Federal Ministry of Health. Key interventions included:
- Strengthened surveillance and deployment of rapid response teams and mobile laboratories
- Oral cholera vaccine (OCV) campaigns that protected more than 23 million people, contributing significantly to interrupting transmission in affected and high-risk areas
- Improved WASH access — water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in affected communities
- Community engagement campaigns led by risk communication officers working with displaced populations
"Sudan's health leadership, health care workers and WHO teams fought hard and long to contain the outbreak in the midst of a complex humanitarian emergency with an extremely challenging operational context." — Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative to Sudan and Head of Mission
Vaccination as a Cornerstone
The oral cholera vaccine campaigns were a cornerstone of the response. More than 23 million people received OCV doses across multiple rounds, making this one of the largest cholera vaccination efforts in Africa in recent years. The campaigns were conducted despite the operational challenges of delivering vaccines in an active conflict zone, where access to many areas was severely constrained.
Lessons Learned and Future Preparedness
Federal Minister of Health Dr Haitham Ibrahim emphasised that the response pushed teams and partners to their limits but was overcome through strong coordination and dedication. "We have documented these lessons and are now better prepared for future outbreaks," he stated.
WHO has committed to supporting surveillance, reporting, capacity building, and pre-positioning supplies in high-risk areas. However, the agency stressed that this requires safe and unhindered access to all parts of Sudan and sustained funding for prevention and response efforts.
Regional Context
Sudan's outbreak occurred within a broader multi-country cholera crisis. WHO has been monitoring outbreaks across the Eastern Mediterranean and African Regions throughout 2025 and 2026. Countries including Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have also dealt with significant case burdens. In August 2026, WHO reported that cholera was spreading across borders in West and Central Africa, moving along trade routes and rivers.
The WHO multi-country cholera epidemiological updates — published regularly through 2026 — have tracked the global trajectory of the disease, with the Eastern Mediterranean and African Regions consistently reporting the highest case counts.
The Path Forward
The declaration of the end of the cholera outbreak in Sudan marks an important public health milestone achieved through coordinated national leadership and strong partner support. However, the structural drivers — conflict, displacement, and collapsed infrastructure — persist.
Nearly three years of conflict have severely damaged Sudan's health system. Recovery and health system rehabilitation efforts are critical to improve preparedness and response to future health threats. The lessons documented from this outbreak will inform future responses, but the fundamental challenge of ensuring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for millions of displaced people remains unresolved.
Sources
- WHO EMRO: Sudan declares an end to its cholera outbreak, 8 March 2026.
- WHO: Multi-country outbreak of cholera — epidemiological update 38, 30 June 2026.
- United Nations: New cholera outbreak alert for Sudan's war-weary communities.
- Global Task Force on Cholera Control: Lessons learned from Sudan's cholera outbreak.
FIRAT Editorial Board
Institutional Research Desk · Foresight Institute of Research and Translation
The collective editorial and research translation board of FIRAT, synthesising peer-reviewed evidence, policy briefs, and division milestones across our seven foundational research pillars.
