Totally Fine Foundation · Issue 012 · Epidemic Watch / Waterborne Disease

DRC Cholera Notifications 2026

Last reviewed · Totally Fine Foundation editorial desk · 8 min

The available WHO epidemiological report for week 32 of 2026 appears to record 1,528 suspected cholera cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — a figure that is disputed, and slightly below the 1,568 reported the week before. Suspected notifications remained above 1,000 for another week as the rainy season approached, spread across 16 of 26 provinces and 70 of 519 health zones, with South Kivu and North Kivu together accounting for 52.55% of suspected notifications. By week 32, cumulative suspected cases stood at 39,483 with 1,173 deaths, a case-fatality rate of 2.97%, according to an internal WHO situation report cited by RFI.

Metrics

The Week the Count Stayed Above a Thousand: Cholera Notifications in DR Congo, Week 32, 2026

Caseload and trend: week 32 against week 31

For epidemiological week 32 of 2026 (3–9 August 2026), the WHO-reported number of suspected cholera cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 1,528, according to reports; this figure is disputed.

That total was slightly lower than the 1,568 suspected cases reported for epidemiological week 31 of 2026.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report; acp.cd — DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control

Geographic distribution: sixteen provinces, seventy health zones

During week 32, 16 of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 26 provinces reported suspected cholera cases, covering 70 of the country's 519 health zones.

No health zone was newly added to the list of zones reporting suspected cholera cases during week 32.

South Kivu and North Kivu together accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications during week 32.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

Epidemic threshold: above 1,000 as the rainy season approaches

In week 32, suspected cholera notifications remained above 1,000 cases per week, a level WHO described as alarming as the rainy season approached.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

Cumulative burden: weeks 1–32 and the 2025 comparison

Between epidemiological weeks 1 and 32 of 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded 39,483 suspected cholera cases and 1,173 deaths, with a cumulative case-fatality rate of 2.97%, according to an internal WHO situation report cited by RFI.

The cumulative suspected case count for weeks 1–32 of 2026 was 15.38% lower than during the same period in 2025, when 46,661 suspected cases and 1,412 deaths were reported.

Sources: rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report; reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026

What remains unverified and what to re-check

The available reports describe suspected cases; they do not establish laboratory-confirmed case totals.

The 1,528 figure for week 32 is disputed and should be re-checked against the WHO epidemiological report for week 32.

The cumulative figures are drawn from an internal WHO situation report cited by RFI; independent confirmation of the 39,483 suspected cases, 1,173 deaths, and 2.97% case-fatality rate is not provided in the supplied evidence.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report; acp.cd — DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control

Cholera trend in several health zones

According to OCHA's report dated 30 September 2026, the cholera trend remained upward in several health zones in South Kivu.

According to OCHA's report dated 30 September 2026, South Kivu's cholera outbreak reached a cumulative 14,115 cases and 245 deaths from epidemiological weeks 1 through 39.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026

Claims and evidence

During epidemiological week 32 of 2026 (3–9 August 2026), the WHO-reported number of suspected cholera cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 1,528.

Claimant: WHO situation report as cited by ReliefWeb and RFI

Evidence status: disputed

Counterclaim: The figure is disputed in the site status; no specific opposing figure is documented in the verified claims.

Independent assessment: The 1,528 figure is marked disputed; the week-32 total is slightly lower than week 31's 1,568, but no independent confirmation is provided.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

The week 32 total of 1,528 suspected cases was slightly lower than the 1,568 cases reported in epidemiological week 31 of 2026.

Claimant: WHO situation reports as cited by ReliefWeb and RFI

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the verified claims.

Independent assessment: Confirmed by comparison of week 31 and week 32 WHO-reported figures.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

In epidemiological week 32 of 2026, suspected cholera notifications remained above 1,000 cases per week, a level WHO described as alarming as the rainy season approached.

Claimant: WHO

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the verified claims.

Independent assessment: WHO's characterization is reported; no independent assessment is documented.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

During epidemiological week 32 of 2026, 16 of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 26 provinces reported suspected cholera cases, covering 70 of the country's 519 health zones.

Claimant: WHO situation report as cited by ReliefWeb and RFI

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the verified claims.

Independent assessment: Geographic spread reported by WHO; no independent verification is documented.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

No health zone was newly affected by cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during epidemiological week 32 of 2026.

Claimant: WHO situation report as cited by ReliefWeb and RFI

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the verified claims.

Independent assessment: Consistent with the week-32 WHO report; no independent verification is documented.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

South Kivu and North Kivu together accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during epidemiological week 32 of 2026.

Claimant: WHO situation report as cited by ReliefWeb and RFI

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the verified claims.

Independent assessment: Share calculated from WHO data; no independent verification is documented.

Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

Between epidemiological weeks 1 and 32 of 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded 39,483 suspected cholera cases and 1,173 deaths, with a cumulative case-fatality rate of 2.97%, according to an internal WHO situation report cited by RFI.

Claimant: RFI citing an internal WHO situation report

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the verified claims.

Independent assessment: Cumulative figures are suspected cases and reported deaths, not laboratory-confirmed totals; no independent verification is documented.

Sources: rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

The cumulative suspected cholera case count for epidemiological weeks 1–32 of 2026 was 15.38% lower than during the same period in 2025, when 46,661 suspected cases and 1,412 deaths were reported.

Claimant: RFI citing an internal WHO situation report

Evidence status: confirmed

Counterclaim: No counterclaim documented in the verified claims.

Independent assessment: Comparison of suspected cases and reported deaths for the same period; does not establish laboratory-confirmed totals.

Sources: rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

Timeline

  1. — WHO reports 1,528 suspected cholera cases in DRC during week 32

    During epidemiological week 32 (3–9 August 2026), the WHO-reported number of suspected cholera cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 1,528, according to ReliefWeb, RFI and ACP. This figure is disputed.

    Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report; acp.cd — DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control

  2. — Week 32 suspected cholera cases slightly lower than week 31

    The week 32 total of 1,528 suspected cases was slightly lower than the 1,568 cases reported in epidemiological week 31 of 2026, according to ReliefWeb and RFI.

    Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

  3. — WHO calls sustained cholera notifications alarming ahead of rainy season

    In epidemiological week 32 of 2026, suspected cholera notifications remained above 1,000 cases per week, a level WHO described as alarming as the rainy season approached, according to ReliefWeb and RFI.

    Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

  4. — Cholera reported in 16 of 26 DRC provinces during week 32

    During epidemiological week 32 of 2026, 16 of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 26 provinces reported suspected cholera cases, covering 70 of the country's 519 health zones, according to ReliefWeb and RFI.

    Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

  5. — No health zone newly affected by cholera in DRC during week 32

    No health zone was newly affected by cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during epidemiological week 32 of 2026, according to ReliefWeb and RFI.

    Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

  6. — South and North Kivu account for over half of week 32 cholera notifications

    South Kivu and North Kivu together accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during epidemiological week 32 of 2026, according to ReliefWeb and RFI.

    Sources: reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

  7. — DRC records 39,483 suspected cholera cases and 1,173 deaths in weeks 1–32 of 2026

    Between epidemiological weeks 1 and 32 of 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded 39,483 suspected cholera cases and 1,173 deaths, with a cumulative case-fatality rate of 2.97%, according to an internal WHO situation report cited by RFI.

    Sources: rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

  8. — Cumulative suspected cholera cases in 2026 15.38% lower than same period in 2025

    The cumulative suspected cholera case count for epidemiological weeks 1–32 of 2026 was 15.38% lower than during the same period in 2025, when 46,661 suspected cases and 1,412 deaths were reported, according to RFI.

    Sources: rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report

  9. — OCHA report dated 30 September 2026 attributes South Kivu cholera total of 14,115 cases and 245 deaths through week 39

    According to OCHA's report dated 30 September 2026, South Kivu's cholera outbreak reached 14,115 cumulative cases and 245 deaths through epidemiological week 39, with the trend upward in several health zones.

    Sources: ReliefWeb (OCHA) — ReliefWeb reports ingested by editorial pipeline (2026-10)

Open questions

  • Who disputes the week-32 figure of 1,528, and on what basis?
  • Are the cumulative 2026 figures from the internal WHO report consistent with the weekly report?
  • What is the laboratory confirmation rate among suspected cases?
  • How are South Kivu and North Kivu case counts disaggregated?
  • Does the disputed 1,528 figure refer only to suspected cases, or does it include confirmed cases?

Source registry

  1. reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026; primary_document; 2026-08-23
  2. reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026; primary_document; 2026-08-23
  3. who.int — WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record, Week 32, 2026; primary_document; date not supplied
  4. insp.cd — DRC Cholera Situation Bulletin, Week 33, 2025 (INSP); primary_document; date not supplied
  5. acp.cd — DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control; official_position; date not supplied
  6. rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report; news; date not supplied
  7. msf.ch — MSF Field Report: Cholera Response in Sangé, South Kivu; humanitarian; date not supplied
  8. msf.org — MSF Update: Cholera and Measles Response in Shabunda, South Kivu; humanitarian; date not supplied
  9. unocha.org — OCHA Situation Report #6: Humanitarian Situation in North Kivu, 15 June 2026; humanitarian; date not supplied
  10. unocha.org — OCHA Flash Update #2: Humanitarian Situation in South Kivu, 26 December 2025; humanitarian; date not supplied
  11. hrw.org — Human Rights Watch: Humanitarian Aid and Displacement Impeded in the High Plateaus of South Kivu; human_rights; date not supplied
  12. link.springer.com — Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cholera in the DRC Before and During the Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan, 2000–2021; research; date not supplied
  13. wwwnc.cdc.gov — CDC research on recurrent cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2008–2017; research; date not supplied
  14. radiookapi.net — Radio Okapi: 756 cholera cases and 27 deaths in Popokabaka (Kwango) since June; news; date not supplied

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