Sudan officially declared the end of its cholera outbreak on 3 March 2026, following 48 consecutive days without any reported cases, exceeding the two full incubation periods required to confirm the outbreak’s conclusion. The last reported case occurred on 14 January 2026. The outbreak, first detected in Kassala State in late July 2024, spread to all 18 states, infecting 124,418 people and causing 3,573 deaths. The epidemic was driven by disruptions to water and sanitation systems, population displacement, flooding, and limited access to health care.
The containment of the outbreak was achieved through a sustained multisectoral response coordinated by Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Key measures included strengthened surveillance, deployment of rapid response teams and mobile laboratories, provision of cholera treatment supplies and vaccines, improvement of access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and extensive community engagement campaigns. Vaccination efforts protected more than 23 million people, significantly contributing to the interruption of transmission in affected and high-risk areas.
Sudan’s health authorities emphasized that managing the outbreak was particularly challenging due to nearly three years of conflict, which severely disrupted essential services and damaged the health system, creating conditions conducive to cholera transmission. Health officials credited the successful response to strong coordination, dedication of health teams, and lessons learned for improving preparedness for future outbreaks.
Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, highlights underlying inequities and gaps in social and economic development. Ensuring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is essential to preventing cholera and other waterborne diseases. With over half of Sudan’s population in need of humanitarian assistance, including 21 million requiring health support and 13.6 million displaced, the risk of future outbreaks remains high.
The WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sudan through ongoing surveillance, reporting, capacity building, and pre-positioning of supplies in high-risk areas. Safe and unhindered access across the country, along with sustained funding, is critical for continued prevention and response efforts. The declaration of the outbreak’s end represents a significant public health milestone, achieved through coordinated national leadership and strong partner support.
