A fresh cholera outbreak in Sudan has claimed at least 120 lives and left 1,102 others with suspected infections since May, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The outbreak comes as Sudan enters its fourth year of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a war that has severely weakened the country’s healthcare system and humanitarian response.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, WHO Representative in Sudan, Dr. Shible Sahbani, said the country is experiencing its third cholera outbreak in as many years.
The latest wave began barely two months after the previous outbreak was officially declared over in March.
Government data show that between July 2024 and March 2026, more than 124,400 people were infected with cholera, while about 3,500 people died.
Dr. Sahbani explained that although cholera has long been endemic in Sudan, the pattern of outbreaks has changed significantly because of the prolonged conflict.
“Previously, cholera occurred in a cyclical pattern every three years. Today, the country is facing almost continuous outbreaks due to the conflict, limited access to affected areas and shortages of essential medical supplies,” he said.
The WHO warned that the situation could worsen as Sudan approaches the peak of its rainy season, a period that typically fuels the spread of waterborne diseases.
Millions of people across the country lack access to safe drinking water, while seasonal flooding is expected to further complicate humanitarian operations and restrict access to vulnerable communities.
The Sudanese government officially declared the latest outbreak in West Kordofan State, a strategic region that lies between territories controlled by the army and the RSF.
The WHO said the disease appears to be spreading beyond the initial outbreak zone, following reports of nearly 300 suspected cases and three deaths in neighbouring North Kordofan State.
The United Nations has warned that the RSF is preparing to launch a major offensive against El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan.
According to UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, repeated drone strikes targeting electricity infrastructure have already disrupted access to clean water and power, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and humanitarian catastrophe.
More than three years of conflict have devastated Sudan’s healthcare system.
According to the WHO, about 40 per cent of health facilities across the country are no longer functioning, while most of the remaining hospitals operate only partially and are unable to provide comprehensive medical services.
The ongoing conflict has also displaced millions of people and severely limited humanitarian access to many parts of the country.
Aid organisations estimate that more than 200,000 people may have been killed since the conflict began, making Sudan one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The WHO has called for increased international support to contain the outbreak, restore healthcare services and improve access to clean water and sanitation, warning that without urgent intervention, the spread of cholera could accelerate in the coming weeks.