Chad’s Ministry of Public Health has confirmed an ongoing cholera outbreak affecting two key regions: Hadjer Lamis province and the capital, N’Djamena. Since the first cases emerged in mid-June, the disease has already resulted in 13 fatalities and 239 confirmed infections. Authorities officially declared the outbreak on July 24 after the initial surge in fatalities.

The government has initiated a large-scale vaccination drive, with over 50,000 individuals already receiving doses. Health officials emphasize that the primary challenge remains the scarcity of clean drinking water and adequate sanitation infrastructure, both of which significantly contribute to the transmission of this waterborne illness.

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