Comprehensive cholera statistics for 2022, published by WHO today, shed light on the scale and extent of the ongoing cholera upsurge.

While data for cholera remain inadequate, cases reported to WHO in 2022 were more than double those in 2021. Forty-four countries reported cases, a 25% increase from the 35 countries that reported cases in 2021.

Not only were there more outbreaks, but the outbreaks were larger. Seven countries –Afghanistan, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic–have each reported over 10 000 suspected and confirmed cases. The larger the outbreak, the harder it typically is to control.