The Ministry of Public Health in Chad has confirmed 13 fatalities and 239 confirmed cholera cases since the outbreak began. The epidemic has primarily affected Hadjer Lamis province in northern Chad, along with the capital, N’Djamena. Authorities declared the outbreak on July 24 following initial deaths reported in mid-June.

A mass vaccination campaign is underway, with over 50,000 individuals already receiving doses. Health officials emphasize that limited access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation infrastructure remain critical challenges in controlling the spread of this waterborne disease.

Cholera spreads through contaminated water or food and can be effectively treated with rapid rehydration and, in severe cases, antibiotics. Without prompt medical intervention, the disease can prove fatal within hours. Chad is not alone in facing this crisis—several African nations, including the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have recently reported cholera outbreaks.