Geneva, 30 August 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Cholera, a life-threatening diarrhoeal disease, is currently spreading further in conflict regions, the World Health Organization has said.

This year, 390,000 cases with 4,300 fatal outcomes have been registered in 31 countries, stressed Kathryn Alberti, a cholera expert at the WHO.

She said the figures signal a major failure of the international community. "Cholera is preventable and easily treatable," Alberti added.

The situation is particularly concerning in Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Yemen.

In all these countries, conflicts are further fuelling the spread of cholera, said Alberti. In refugee camps, people often have only 3 litres of water a day – for drinking, washing and cooking.

Access to clean drinking water is key in combating the disease.