The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says cholera is spreading rapidly across West and Central Africa, with active outbreaks now in six countries and millions of children at growing risk.
UNICEF said Nigeria has the largest outbreak in the region, with more than 50,000 cumulative cases and 338 deaths recorded since January 1, 2026.
UNICEF said active outbreaks are currently accelerating in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.
The UN agency said Nigeria’s outbreak was largely driven by a major outbreak in Borno State as of the end of July 2026.
It also warned that children are bearing a disproportionate share of the burden, with a high percentage of those affected in the countries experiencing outbreaks.
UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, said: “This outbreak is no longer confined by borders.
“It is moving along shared rivers, trade routes and population movements, putting millions of children at risk.”
Fagninou said seasonal rains, flooding, population displacement and cross-border transmission were accelerating the spread of the waterborne disease.
Fagninou noted that flooding was contaminating water sources, damaging sanitation facilities, and cutting off access to vulnerable communities.
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“Every new infection is a reminder that millions of children are still being denied one of their most basic rights: safe water. We know how to stop cholera,” he said.
The UNICEF regional director called for urgent action, increased investment and regional solidarity to prevent further deaths from a disease he described as entirely preventable.
To strengthen its response, UNICEF is seeking an additional $15 million in funding over the next six months.
The agency said it and its partners were working with national and sub-national authorities to expand access to safe water and sanitation, strengthen disease surveillance, provide essential health supplies and support oral cholera vaccination campaigns.
UNICEF added that it was coordinating with the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention along key transmission routes to contain the spread of the disease.
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