Cholera Outbreak Claims Four Lives at Chad Refugee Camp: Health Authorities Urge Vigilance

At least four people have died following a cholera outbreak in the Dougui refugee camp in eastern Chad, according to a statement from the country’s health ministry on Friday. The camp, located in the Ouara department of Ouaddai province, has recorded a total of 42 suspected cholera cases. Samples from these cases have been collected and sent to the capital city, N’Djamena, for confirmatory testing.

Health authorities have urged vigilance and called for strict adherence to hygiene measures to help slow the spread of the disease. The Dougui refugee camp hosts approximately 20,000 Sudanese refugees who have fled the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

This outbreak comes amid warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) in June that cholera cases in Sudan are expected to rise and could spread to neighboring countries, including Chad. The densely populated and often crowded conditions in refugee camps increase the risk of rapid transmission.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It poses a serious public health threat, particularly in settings with inadequate access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. Most cholera cases can be treated effectively with oral rehydration solutions, but severe cases require intravenous fluids and antibiotics to prevent fatalities.

Authorities in Chad are working to enhance epidemiological surveillance and promote hygiene practices within the refugee camps to contain the outbreak and mitigate further loss of life.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of July 25, 2025. The situation regarding the cholera outbreak is evolving, and figures such as case counts and fatalities may change as new data become available and confirmatory test results are processed. Readers should consult official sources and health authorities for the most current information.