N’Djamena — Thirteen fatalities and 239 confirmed cases of cholera have been recorded in Chad since an outbreak began in July, health authorities announced Thursday.
The outbreak has hit two regions particularly hard: Hadjer Lamis in the north and the capital, N’Djamena. As of August 3, the crisis had already resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, with 239 cases reported across the landlocked central African nation of nearly 21 million people.
Authorities launched a vaccination campaign, inoculating over 50,799 residents. The epidemic was officially declared on July 24, following the first reported deaths on June 13. Health officials continue to urge caution as the situation evolves.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal infection, spreads through contaminated food or water. While treatable with rehydration therapy or antibiotics in severe cases, it can prove fatal within hours without prompt medical intervention. Advanced wastewater treatment systems have nearly eradicated the disease in many developed nations, but Chad faces persistent challenges due to limited access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation.
The current outbreak is part of a troubling regional trend, with neighboring countries such as the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo also grappling with cholera surges in recent months.
Health experts stress that preventive measures, including improved hygiene practices and safe water consumption, remain critical to controlling the spread of this deadly yet preventable disease.
