As 2025 draws to a close, Africa's health landscape tells a story of stark contrasts – historic disease elimination achievements colliding with some of the worst outbreaks in a generation. From cholera surging through communities to worrying vaccine gaps, here's your vital health check.
"A Perfect Storm of Challenges"
Dr. Edna Moturi, UNICEF's Regional Health Emergency Specialist, describes 2025 as "a complex landscape" marked by resurgent threats: "We've battled cholera, mpox, Marburg virus, and Ebola simultaneously – while routine immunization rates keep falling." 😷
Cholera Crisis Reaches Historic Levels
This year saw Africa's worst cholera outbreak since 2000:
📈 300,000+ suspected/confirmed cases
⚰️ 7,000+ deaths (30% spike from 2024)
🔥 Hotspots: Sudan, DRC, South Sudan, Nigeria
Contaminated water systems and climate-driven floods fueled the crisis, prompting emergency plans to eliminate cholera by 2030 through the Africa CDC-WHO partnership.
Vaccine Gaps Widen
While COVID-19 vaccination rates improved, childhood immunization programs faltered:
📉 Polio and measles outbreaks resurged
💉 1 in 3 African children miss essential vaccines
🌐 Global vaccine equity remains contentious
As health leaders race to contain outbreaks, 2025 serves as both warning and motivation – proving Africa's resilience while highlighting urgent needs in pandemic preparedness. 🌡️
