As 2025 draws to a close, Africa's health sector reveals a year of stark contrasts – historic disease control achievements colliding with some of the most severe outbreaks in modern memory. While nations celebrated malaria elimination milestones in Zanzibar and parts of Senegal, cholera surged to levels not seen since the turn of the century.
Emergency Specialist Sounds Alarm
Dr. Edna Moturi, UNICEF's Regional Health Emergency Specialist for Eastern and Southern Africa, described 2025 as "a complex landscape" marked by resurgent threats. "We've simultaneously fought cholera, mpox, Marburg virus, and Ebola while seeing routine immunization rates decline," she told KhabarAsia, noting particular concern about rising measles and polio cases.
Cholera Crisis Reaches Historic Levels
The Africa CDC confirmed 2025 as the continent's worst cholera year in 25 years, with 300,000 suspected cases and 7,000 deaths reported through November – a 30% annual increase. Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo bore the brunt of outbreaks exacerbated by inadequate water treatment infrastructure.
Continental Response Intensifies
In August, the Africa CDC and WHO launched an emergency preparedness blueprint, with national leaders pledging to control cholera by 2030. This year's crisis has accelerated calls for sustained investment in water sanitation and vaccine distribution networks across vulnerable regions.
