On Nov. 21, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that From January 1 to October 27, 2024, a cumulative total of 486,760 cholera and acute watery diarrhea cases and 4,018 deaths were reported from 33 countries across five WHO regions.

While the number of cases reported in October 2024 is 42% lower than the same period in 2023, the number of deaths has increased by 54% – reflecting severe response challenges in outbreak settings. Since the last report, new cholera outbreaks have been reported in Iraq (571 cases and one death), Lebanon (one case with no death) and South Sudan (49 cases and one death), bringing the total number of affected countries in 2024 to 33.

In November, record production of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) was achieved, the highest since 2013, driven by new formulations and production methods introduced and prequalified this year. Despite this progress, the OCV emergency stockpile averaged less than 600 000 doses in October – far below the target of five million doses needed for emergency stockpile at all times for effective outbreak response. This persistent shortage continues to hinder efforts to control cholera outbreaks and respond promptly to the spread of the disease.