Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has submitted four emergency requests to the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision as Nigeria battles a worsening cholera outbreak that has killed at least 500 people as of 26 October 2025.
A World Health Organisation (WHO) report obtained on Friday reveals that the global cholera situation remains severe, with more than 565,000 cases and 7,074 deaths recorded across 32 countries. The Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest burden, followed by Africa.
Nigeria continues to face a significant public health challenge, recording 22,102 cases and 500 deaths, representing a Case Fatality Rate of 2.3 per cent. In the last 28 days of October alone, the country recorded 1,320 new cases and 33 deaths.
Across Africa, 13,253 new cholera cases were reported in October—a 19 per cent decline from September—with the highest case numbers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and South Sudan. However, the continent still recorded 272 deaths during the same period.
WHO noted that Nigeria’s four emergency vaccine requests are among 50 submitted globally in 2025 by countries struggling with outbreaks. Of the 50 requests, 46 have been approved, totalling 49 million doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) for outbreak response.
The global OCV stockpile averaged 7.9 million doses in October, remaining above the five-million-dose threshold required for emergency deployment.
Challenges hampering cholera control include limited vaccine supply, weak water and sanitation systems, inadequate surveillance, and difficulties reaching populations in conflict-affected areas. Climate impacts and porous borders also fuel continued transmission.
To address these obstacles, WHO, UNICEF, IFRC, and global partners are strengthening forecasting models, improving coordination, and prioritising vaccine distribution for the most affected regions.
About the Author
Otamere Gladness 
Oluwatobi Adu 