New Delhi: At least four people have died from cholera in eastern Chad, according to a statement from the country’s Health Ministry. The disease has been detected in the Dougui refugee camp, located in the Ouara department of Ouaddai province. The camp is home to approximately 20,000 refugees who have fled conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Health officials have identified 42 suspected cases of cholera in the camp. Samples from the affected individuals have been sent to N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, for laboratory testing and confirmation. In the meantime, authorities are urging people living in and around the camp to maintain strict hygiene practices to help reduce the risk of further spread.
The World Health Organization (WHO) previously warned that cholera cases are rising in Sudan and may spread to nearby countries, including Chad. With hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees now residing in camps in eastern Chad, the risk of waterborne diseases has increased, particularly in overcrowded settings with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services.
Cholera is a highly infectious disease caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The infection can cause acute diarrhoea and lead to severe dehydration. While many people experience mild or moderate symptoms and recover with oral rehydration solutions (ORS), those with more serious illness require intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Without timely treatment, cholera can become life-threatening.
Preventing the spread of cholera relies heavily on access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and good hygiene practices. Conflict, displacement, climate-related disasters, and underinvestment in water and sanitation systems often create conditions where cholera can spread more easily.
In 2023 alone, the WHO recorded over 535,000 cholera cases and more than 4,000 deaths across 45 countries. Experts believe actual numbers may be significantly higher due to underreporting and gaps in local disease surveillance systems.
