# DRC Cholera Notifications 2026 - Canonical dossier: [Web edition]() - Markdown edition: [Plain-text edition]() - Issue: Issue 012 - Rubric: Epidemic Watch / Waterborne Disease - Byline: Totally Fine Foundation editorial desk - Reading time: 8 min - Last reviewed: 2026-09-06 > 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. ## Cover - Kicker: Field dossier / sub-Saharan Africa / cholera - Cover lines: 1,528 suspected cases in one week — a figure that is disputed / Sixteen of twenty-six provinces reporting, seventy of 519 health zones / The Kivus account for 52.55% of suspected notifications / 39,483 suspected cases and 1,173 deaths by week 32, per an internal WHO report cited by RFI / Above 1,000 cases a week as the rainy season approaches #### Hero visual provenance - Caption: A rapid diagnostic test for cholera, as documented by CDC Global. The photograph shows the type of test used to confirm suspected cholera cases during outbreak investigations. - Alt text: Rapid diagnostic test for cholera - Credit: CDC Global - Rights / license: CC BY 2.0 - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ## Metrics ### 1,528 cases — Suspected cholera cases, epidemiological week 32 2026 (disputed) - Category: Epidemiological - Caveat: WHO-reported figure cited by ReliefWeb and RFI; estimate for epidemiological week 32 (3–9 August 2026); does not cover laboratory-confirmed cases or unreported cases. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 1,568 cases — Suspected cholera cases, epidemiological week 31 2026 - Category: Epidemiological - Caveat: WHO-reported figure cited by ReliefWeb and RFI; estimate for epidemiological week 31 of 2026; does not cover laboratory-confirmed cases or unreported cases. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int-2`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 16 of 26 provinces — Provinces reporting suspected cholera cases, week 32 2026 - Category: Geographic spread - Caveat: WHO-reported for epidemiological week 32 (3–9 August 2026); does not cover health zones with no reporting or non-suspected cases. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 70 of 519 health zones — Health zones reporting suspected cholera cases, week 32 2026 - Category: Geographic spread - Caveat: WHO-reported for epidemiological week 32 (3–9 August 2026); does not cover health zones with no reporting or non-suspected cases. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 52.55% — Share of suspected cholera notifications in South Kivu and North Kivu, week 32 2026 - Category: Burden - Caveat: WHO-reported for epidemiological week 32 (3–9 August 2026); share of suspected notifications, not confirmed cases; does not cover other provinces' share. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 39,483 suspected cases; 1,173 deaths; CFR 2.97% — Cumulative suspected cholera cases, weeks 1–32 2026 - Category: Cumulative - Caveat: Internal WHO situation report cited by RFI; period epidemiological weeks 1–32 of 2026; figures are suspected cases and reported deaths, not laboratory-confirmed totals; CFR calculated from those figures. **Source trail:** [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### -15.38% (39,483 vs 46,661 cases; 1,173 vs 1,412 deaths) — Year-over-year change in suspected cholera cases, weeks 1–32 - Category: Trend - Caveat: RFI citing internal WHO situation report; comparison of weeks 1–32 2026 with same period 2025; suspected cases and reported deaths, not confirmed totals. **Source trail:** [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ## 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int-2`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`); [acp.cd — DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-acp-cd`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`); [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`); [acp.cd — DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-acp-cd`) ## Actors and positions ### World Health Organization (WHO) - Role: International health agency monitoring cholera - Confidence: medium - Position: Reported suspected cholera cases for epidemiological week 32 2026 and described notifications above 1,000 per week as alarming as the rainy season approached. - Supporter framing: WHO presents its surveillance data as the basis for tracking suspected cholera notifications and geographic spread. - Opposing account: No opposing account documented in the verified claims; the week-32 figure of 1,528 is marked disputed in the site status. - Independent assessment: WHO data are the source for the week-32 and cumulative figures; no independent confirmation of laboratory-confirmed totals is provided. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### RFI - Role: News outlet reporting on cholera in DRC - Confidence: high - Position: Cited an internal WHO situation report for cumulative suspected cases and deaths in weeks 1–32 2026. - Supporter framing: RFI presents the internal WHO report as the basis for cumulative figures and the year-over-year comparison. - Opposing account: No counter-narrative documented in the verified claims. - Independent assessment: RFI's reporting is consistent with WHO-reported week-32 figures in ReliefWeb; it does not provide laboratory-confirmed totals. **Source trail:** [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### South Kivu and North Kivu provinces - Role: Areas with the highest share of suspected cholera notifications - Confidence: medium - Position: Together accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in epidemiological week 32 2026. - Supporter framing: No separate provincial statement is documented in the verified claims. - Opposing account: No opposing account documented in the verified claims. - Independent assessment: WHO data show the two provinces accounted for 52.55% of suspected notifications in week 32 2026. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ## 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int-2`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 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. **Source trail:** [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ## Language record ### CDC study - Role: Research article on recurrent cholera outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2008–2017 - Context: From a CDC research article on recurrent cholera outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2008–2017. Quotation text is available in the web edition and the cited original source; it is not republished in this machine-readable edition. **Source:** [wwwnc.cdc.gov — CDC research on recurrent cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2008–2017]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-wwwnc-cdc-gov`) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-09 — WHO reports 1,528 suspected cholera cases in DRC during week 32 - Event type: outbreak\_update - Confidence: low 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`); [acp.cd — DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-acp-cd`) ### 2026-08-09 — Week 32 suspected cholera cases slightly lower than week 31 - Event type: outbreak\_update - Confidence: high 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 2026-08-09 — WHO calls sustained cholera notifications alarming ahead of rainy season - Event type: early\_signal - Confidence: high 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 2026-08-09 — Cholera reported in 16 of 26 DRC provinces during week 32 - Event type: outbreak\_update - Confidence: high 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 2026-08-09 — No health zone newly affected by cholera in DRC during week 32 - Event type: outbreak\_update - Confidence: high 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 2026-08-09 — South and North Kivu account for over half of week 32 cholera notifications - Event type: outbreak\_update - Confidence: high 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. **Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int`); [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 2026-08-09 — DRC records 39,483 suspected cholera cases and 1,173 deaths in weeks 1–32 of 2026 - Event type: casualty\_update - Confidence: high 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. **Source trail:** [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ### 2026-08-09 — Cumulative suspected cholera cases in 2026 15.38% lower than same period in 2025 - Event type: outbreak\_update - Confidence: high 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. **Source trail:** [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report]() (`src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr`) ## Visual essay ### Gallery image 01 #### Visual provenance - Caption: Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo, photographed on Sunday 15 May 2022 by MONUSCO. The image provides visual context for the eastern DRC provinces referenced in the geographic distribution section. - Alt text: Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 15 May 2022 - Credit: MONUSCO Photos - Rights / license: CC BY-SA 2.0 - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### Gallery image 02 #### Visual provenance - Caption: A woman over 70 crossed the South Sudanese border on foot on 20 July with her daughters and granddaughters to seek refuge in Kendrio, Aru territory, Ituri, according to the photo metadata. The image illustrates population movement in a region covered by the dossier's geographic distribution section. - Alt text: Displaced woman and family near Kendrio, Ituri - Credit: MONUSCO Photos - Rights / license: CC BY-SA 2.0 - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ## Linked visual references ### MSF Field Report: Cholera Response in Sangé, South Kivu - Photographer: Médecins Sans Frontières - Publisher: MSF Switzerland - Recognition: Field reporting from an active cholera response zone - Why it matters: It documents the operational response in South Kivu, one of the two provinces that together account for 52.55% of suspected notifications in week 32. - Original: [Open reference]() ### 756 cholera cases and 27 deaths in Popokabaka (Kwango) since June - Photographer: Radio Okapi - Publisher: Radio Okapi - Recognition: Local reporting on a district-level outbreak - Why it matters: It adds a subnational outbreak detail that complements the national week 32 figures, though the Popokabaka numbers are outside the dossier's core metrics. - Original: [Open reference]() ## Media desk ### Urban health zone of Goma - Publisher: Sunway godianne - Media type: photo - Rights mode: direct\_image - Placement: Geographic distribution: sixteen provinces, seventy health zones - Caption: Urban health zone of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as photographed by Sunway godianne. The image shows an urban area in North Kivu, a province with significant cholera notifications. - Why it matters: Goma is a major urban center in North Kivu, one of the two provinces accounting for 52.55% of suspected notifications in week 32. The photograph provides a visual reference for an urban health zone in eastern DRC. North Kivu is among the 16 provinces reporting suspected cholera cases in week 32. Urban health zones like Goma are important for understanding transmission in densely populated areas. The image does not depict a specific outbreak site. - Original: [Open media record]() #### Visual provenance - Caption: Urban health zone of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as photographed by Sunway godianne. The image shows an urban area in North Kivu, a province with significant cholera notifications. - Alt text: Urban health zone of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as photographed by Sunway godianne. The image shows an urban area in North Kivu, a province with significant cholera notifications. - Credit: Sunway godianne - Rights / license: CC BY 4.0 - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### Rainy season in Guinea - Publisher: CDC Global - Media type: photo - Rights mode: direct\_image - Placement: Epidemic threshold: above 1,000 as the rainy season approaches - Caption: Rainy season conditions in Guinea, as documented by CDC Global. The image is used to illustrate the seasonal weather patterns that can affect cholera transmission, though it was not taken in the DRC. - Why it matters: The dossier notes that suspected notifications remained above 1,000 as the rainy season approached, a period when cholera risk can increase. The photograph shows rainy season conditions, which are relevant to the dossier's epidemic threshold section. The approaching rainy season is cited as a context for sustained high case numbers. However, the image is from Guinea, not the DRC, so it is illustrative only. It should not be mistaken for a DRC-specific weather scene. - Original: [Open media record]() #### Visual provenance - Caption: Rainy season conditions in Guinea, as documented by CDC Global. The image is used to illustrate the seasonal weather patterns that can affect cholera transmission, though it was not taken in the DRC. - Alt text: Rainy season conditions in Guinea, as documented by CDC Global. The image is used to illustrate the seasonal weather patterns that can affect cholera transmission, though it was not taken in the DRC. - Credit: CDC Global - Rights / license: CC BY 2.0 - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026 - Publisher: ReliefWeb - Media type: report\_pdf - Rights mode: linked\_reference\_only - Placement: Caseload and trend: week 32 against week 31 - Caption: The week 32 internal WHO situation report records 1,528 suspected cholera cases in the DRC, a figure that is disputed and slightly below the 1,568 reported the week before. - Why it matters: This is the primary source for the disputed week 32 caseload and the geographic distribution across 16 provinces and 70 health zones. The report is the basis for the dossier's caseload and trend section. It shows suspected notifications remained above 1,000 for another week as the rainy season approached. The figure of 1,528 suspected cases is flagged as disputed, so it should be read alongside the week 31 report and the RFI account. - Original: [Open media record]() #### Visual provenance - Caption: The week 32 internal WHO situation report records 1,528 suspected cholera cases in the DRC, a figure that is disputed and slightly below the 1,568 reported the week before. - Alt text: The week 32 internal WHO situation report records 1,528 suspected cholera cases in the DRC, a figure that is disputed and slightly below the 1,568 reported the week before. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026 - Publisher: ReliefWeb - Media type: report\_pdf - Rights mode: linked\_reference\_only - Placement: Caseload and trend: week 32 against week 31 - Caption: The week 31 internal WHO situation report records 1,568 suspected cholera cases in the DRC. - Why it matters: It provides the comparison point for the week 32 figure and shows the week-on-week change. This report anchors the previous week's caseload. The difference between 1,568 and 1,528 suspected cases is small, and both weeks remain above the 1,000-case threshold. Together with the week 32 report, it supports the trend analysis. - Original: [Open media record]() #### Visual provenance - Caption: The week 31 internal WHO situation report records 1,568 suspected cholera cases in the DRC. - Alt text: The week 31 internal WHO situation report records 1,568 suspected cholera cases in the DRC. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ## Source readings ### Week 32 suspected cholera cases reported at 1,528, remaining above 1,000 - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int` - Publisher: reliefweb.int - Source type: primary\_document - Published: 2026-08-23 - Registry title: WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026 - Editorial note: Read this as the WHO situation report for week 32; treat the 1,528 suspected-case figure as disputed, not as a confirmed count. - Original: [Open source]() The WHO situation report for epidemiological week 32 (3–9 August 2026) records 1,528 suspected cholera cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, down from 1,568 in week 31. The WHO situation report for epidemiological week 32, 3–9 August 2026, records 1,528 suspected cholera cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This figure is disputed across reporting outlets, so it should be treated as a reported number rather than a confirmed count. The week 32 total was slightly lower than the 1,568 suspected cases reported for week 31. Notifications remained above 1,000 cases per week, a level WHO described as alarming as the rainy season approached. During week 32, 16 of the DRC's 26 provinces reported suspected cholera cases, covering 70 of 519 health zones. No health zone was newly affected. South Kivu and North Kivu together accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications. #### Takeaways - Week 32 suspected cholera cases in DRC were 1,528, a disputed figure. - The total was slightly below week 31's 1,568 but remained above 1,000, which WHO called alarming. - 16 of 26 provinces and 70 of 519 health zones reported suspected cases; no new zone was affected. - South Kivu and North Kivu accounted for 52.55% of week 32 notifications. #### Visual provenance - Caption: WHO internal report records 1,528 suspected cholera cases in DRC week 32 2026. - Alt text: WHO internal report records 1,528 suspected cholera cases in DRC week 32 2026. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### Week 31 baseline: 1,568 suspected cholera cases - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int-2` - Publisher: reliefweb.int - Source type: primary\_document - Published: 2026-08-23 - Registry title: WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026 - Editorial note: Use this only for the week 31 comparison baseline; it is not the week 32 report and does not contain the week 32 total. - Original: [Open source]() The preceding week's WHO situation report provides the 1,568-case comparison figure for the week 32 total. This ReliefWeb-posted WHO situation report covers epidemiological week 31 of 2026. It provides the comparison figure of 1,568 suspected cholera cases, against which the week 32 total of 1,528 is measured. The week 32 total is disputed, but the week 31 figure of 1,568 is confirmed. The difference is slight, and both weeks remain above 1,000 suspected cases. Use this source only for the week 31 baseline; it does not contain the week 32 provincial or health-zone breakdown. #### Takeaways - Week 31 of 2026 recorded 1,568 suspected cholera cases in DRC. - The week 32 total of 1,528 is slightly lower, but that week 32 figure is disputed. - Use this report only for the week 31 comparison baseline. #### Visual provenance - Caption: WHO internal report records 1,568 suspected cholera cases in DRC week 31 2026. - Alt text: WHO internal report records 1,568 suspected cholera cases in DRC week 31 2026. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### WHO's weekly record for 3–9 August 2026 - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-who-int` - Publisher: who.int - Source type: primary\_document - Registry title: WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record, Week 32, 2026 - Editorial note: This WER issue establishes the week 32 calendar period; it does not in the supplied excerpt provide the DRC cholera case count. - Original: [Open source]() The WER issue for epidemiological week 32 covers 3–9 August 2026, the same period referenced in the DRC cholera reports. The Weekly Epidemiological Record issue for week 32 covers 3–9 August 2026. The excerpt describes the WER's role: first issued in 1926 by the Health Office of the League of Nations, entrusted to WHO in 1948, and published every week since. This source establishes the calendar period for epidemiological week 32, but the supplied excerpt does not include the DRC cholera case count. The 1,528 suspected cases attributed to week 32 are disputed and appear in other reporting, not in this WER excerpt. Read this as a general WHO bulletin for the week, not as the DRC-specific situation report. #### Takeaways - The WER week 32 issue covers 3–9 August 2026. - The excerpt does not provide the DRC cholera case count. - The 1,528 suspected cases for week 32 are disputed and come from other sources. #### Visual provenance - Caption: WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record covers week 32 of 2026. - Alt text: WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record covers week 32 of 2026. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### A 2025 week 33 bulletin, not the 2026 week 32 data - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-insp-cd` - Publisher: insp.cd - Source type: primary\_document - Registry title: DRC Cholera Situation Bulletin, Week 33, 2025 (INSP) - Editorial note: This excerpt is a 2025 week 33 bulletin; keep it separate from the 2026 week 32 WHO data. - Original: [Open source]() The INSP page excerpt shows a Ministry of Public Health cholera bulletin for week 33 of 2025 (11–17 August), not the 2026 week 32 data. The INSP page excerpt shows a DRC Ministry of Public Health cholera situation bulletin for week 33 of 2025, covering 11–17 August. It is not the 2026 week 32 data referenced in the WHO reports. The excerpt states that since the beginning of the year, 19 provinces have notified at least one new suspected cholera case. The supplied text is cut off before any case or death totals for that week. Keep this 2025 bulletin separate from the 2026 week 32 figures. The 2026 data on 1,528 suspected cases, 16 affected provinces, and 70 health zones come from WHO situation reports and press coverage, not from this excerpt. #### Takeaways - This excerpt is a 2025 week 33 bulletin, covering 11–17 August 2025. - It reports that 19 provinces had notified at least one new suspected cholera case since the start of the year. - It is not the 2026 week 32 data and should not be merged with it. #### Visual provenance - Caption: INSP bulletin covers DRC cholera situation in week 33 of 2025. - Alt text: INSP bulletin covers DRC cholera situation in week 33 of 2025. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### Ministry says cholera and mpox remain under control while urging stronger surveillance - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-acp-cd` - Publisher: acp.cd - Source type: official\_position - Registry title: DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control - Editorial note: Read as an official government position, not an independent epidemiological assessment. The ministry's national cholera figure of 1,887 suspected cases differs from the WHO-reported week-32 total of 1,528 (disputed); keep the two reporting lines separate. - Original: [Open source]() An official statement from the DRC health ministry reports 1,887 suspected cholera cases nationally and calls for reinforced surveillance in high-case provinces. According to the ministry statement carried by ACP, 1,887 suspected cholera cases were recorded nationally. This figure is not the same as the WHO-reported epidemiological week 32 total of 1,528 suspected cases (disputed) for 3–9 August 2026, and the two should not be conflated. The ministry also called for strengthened surveillance and interventions in provinces where cases remain high, with the stated aim of reducing weekly incidence to below 50 cases within the next two to three months. That target is a policy goal, not a current measurement. The statement frames the mpox and cholera situation as under control. That framing should be read alongside the WHO's description of week-32 suspected cholera notifications remaining above 1,000 cases per week as alarming with the rainy season approaching. #### Takeaways - The ministry reports 1,887 suspected cholera cases nationally, a figure separate from the disputed WHO week-32 total of 1,528. - The ministry's 'under control' language is an official position and should be weighed against WHO's alarming threshold language. - The call to reduce weekly incidence below 50 cases is a forward-looking target, not an observed level. #### Visual provenance - Caption: Health ministry says mpox and cholera remain under control. - Alt text: Health ministry says mpox and cholera remain under control. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### RFI: prolonged cholera flare-up worries WHO as cumulative suspected cases reach 39,483 - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr` - Publisher: rfi.fr - Source type: news - Registry title: RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report - Editorial note: Read as a news account relaying an internal WHO situation report. The cumulative figures are suspected cases and reported deaths, not laboratory-confirmed totals; the week-32 case count of 1,528 is disputed. - Original: [Open source]() An RFI report, citing an internal WHO situation report, records 39,483 suspected cholera cases and 1,173 deaths in DRC between epidemiological weeks 1 and 32 of 2026. RFI reports that, according to an internal WHO situation report based on national health surveillance data and consulted by RFI, 39,483 suspected cholera cases and 1,173 deaths were recorded between epidemiological weeks 1 and 32 of 2026. The cumulative case-fatality rate was 2.97%. The same reporting period was 15.38% lower for suspected cases than the equivalent weeks of 2025, when 46,661 suspected cases and 1,412 deaths were reported. The comparison concerns suspected case counts, not confirmed infections. RFI describes a prolonged flare-up now affecting provinces outside the usual foci. In epidemiological week 32 (3–9 August 2026), the WHO-reported suspected case total was 1,528, a disputed figure slightly below the 1,568 cases reported in week 31. #### Takeaways - Cumulative weeks 1–32 of 2026: 39,483 suspected cases and 1,173 deaths, with a 2.97% case-fatality rate, per the internal WHO report cited by RFI. - The 15.38% decline is measured against the same period in 2025 and applies to suspected case counts. - The week-32 total of 1,528 suspected cases is disputed and should be labeled as such. #### Visual provenance - Caption: RFI cites internal WHO report on DRC cholera surge. - Alt text: RFI cites internal WHO report on DRC cholera surge. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### In Sangé, MSF treats cholera patients during the zone's strongest epidemic in five years - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-msf-ch` - Publisher: msf.ch - Source type: humanitarian - Registry title: MSF Field Report: Cholera Response in Sangé, South Kivu - Editorial note: Read as a dated operational update from 19 February 2026, not as a description of the August 2026 epidemiological weeks. It provides field-level context for South Kivu, one of the two provinces that later accounted for 52.55% of week-32 suspected notifications. - Original: [Open source]() An MSF update from South Kivu describes a cholera response at Sangé general hospital and calls the epidemic the strongest in the zone in five years. Dated 19 February 2026, this MSF report describes treatment of cholera patients, including a child, at Sangé general hospital in South Kivu province, eastern DRC. MSF characterizes the cholera epidemic in the zone as the strongest in five years. This field-level account predates the registry's week-32 observations for 3–9 August 2026. It should not be read as evidence about the disputed WHO-reported week-32 total of 1,528 suspected cases. South Kivu is one of the two provinces that, together with North Kivu, accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in DRC during epidemiological week 32 of 2026. #### Takeaways - MSF's Sangé report is dated 19 February 2026 and covers a specific South Kivu response, not the August week-32 period. - South Kivu and North Kivu together accounted for 52.55% of week-32 suspected notifications. - The report offers field context but no national or week-32 case counts. #### Visual provenance - Caption: MSF responds to cholera epidemic in Sangé, South Kivu. - Alt text: MSF responds to cholera epidemic in Sangé, South Kivu. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### MSF responds to cholera and measles in Shabunda despite access and logistics constraints - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-msf-org` - Publisher: msf.org - Source type: humanitarian - Registry title: MSF Update: Cholera and Measles Response in Shabunda, South Kivu - Editorial note: Read as a subnational operational update with local-authority figures. The Shabunda cholera and measles numbers are not national week-32 totals and should not be compared directly with the disputed WHO-reported 1,528 suspected cases. - Original: [Open source]() An MSF report from Shabunda territory, South Kivu, cites local authorities recording 1,002 cholera cases and 39 deaths since 3 July 2026, alongside a measles epidemic with a 6% case-fatality rate. According to local authorities cited by MSF, 1,002 cholera cases and 39 deaths were recorded in Shabunda territory, South Kivu, since 3 July 2026. In parallel, 7,620 measles cases and 467 deaths were reported, a measles case-fatality rate of 6 per 100. These are subnational figures for a specific territory and period, not the national epidemiological week 32 totals. The WHO-reported week-32 suspected cholera count for DRC was 1,528 (disputed), with 16 of 26 provinces reporting cases across 70 of 519 health zones. MSF describes serious access difficulties and logistical constraints in responding to both epidemics. The report illustrates the operational burden in South Kivu, one of the two provinces that, with North Kivu, accounted for 52.55% of week-32 suspected cholera notifications. #### Takeaways - Shabunda local-authority figures: 1,002 cholera cases and 39 deaths since 3 July 2026; 7,620 measles cases and 467 deaths. - These subnational figures are separate from the disputed national week-32 total of 1,528 suspected cholera cases. - South Kivu and North Kivu together accounted for 52.55% of week-32 suspected notifications. #### Visual provenance - Caption: MSF responds to cholera and measles in Shabunda, South Kivu. - Alt text: MSF responds to cholera and measles in Shabunda, South Kivu. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### North Kivu humanitarian reporting, with later cholera concentration in the Kivus - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-unocha-org` - Publisher: unocha.org - Source type: humanitarian - Registry title: OCHA Situation Report #6: Humanitarian Situation in North Kivu, 15 June 2026 - Editorial note: A provincial humanitarian situation report produced by OCHA RDC with partners; it does not itself contain the week-32 cholera case counts, but North Kivu is one of the two provinces named in the WHO-reported week-32 distribution. - Original: [Open source]() This OCHA RDC situation report covers North Kivu and was produced in collaboration with humanitarian partners; it is a provincial context source, not the epidemiological bulletin for cholera. According to the source page, this is OCHA RDC situation report #6 for North Kivu, dated 15 June 2026, produced in collaboration with humanitarian partners and covering a monthly reporting period. The excerpt does not include cholera case numbers. North Kivu is relevant to the verified cholera figures: in epidemiological week 32 of 2026 (3–9 August 2026), South Kivu and North Kivu together accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in the DRC, according to WHO-reported data (claim 6). The week-32 total of suspected cholera cases in the DRC was 1,528, a figure reported as disputed; this was slightly lower than the 1,568 cases reported in epidemiological week 31 of 2026 (claims 1–2). #### Takeaways - Use this source for North Kivu humanitarian context, not for cholera case counts. - North Kivu is one of the two Kivu provinces that together accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in week 32 of 2026. - The disputed week-32 figure of 1,528 suspected cases was slightly below the week-31 figure of 1,568. #### Visual provenance - Caption: OCHA reports humanitarian situation in North Kivu as of 15 June 2026. - Alt text: OCHA reports humanitarian situation in North Kivu as of 15 June 2026. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### South Kivu flash update reports displacement, looting, and a surge in cholera cases - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-unocha-org-2` - Publisher: unocha.org - Source type: humanitarian - Registry title: OCHA Flash Update #2: Humanitarian Situation in South Kivu, 26 December 2025 - Editorial note: A provincial flash update from OCHA RDC; its cholera mention is a qualitative surge report, not the WHO epidemiological week data used in the verified claims. - Original: [Open source]() This OCHA RDC flash update covers South Kivu and lists continuous population displacement, looting of health and school structures by armed actors, and a surge in cholera cases among its highlights. The source page identifies this as OCHA RDC flash update #2 for South Kivu, dated 26 December 2025, produced in collaboration with humanitarian partners. Its highlights, as translated from the French excerpt, include continuous population displacement across the province, looting of health and school structures by armed actors, and a surge in cholera cases. South Kivu is one of the two provinces that, together with North Kivu, accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in the DRC during epidemiological week 32 of 2026 (3–9 August 2026), according to WHO-reported data (claim 6). This flash update predates the 2026 epidemiological weeks covered by the verified claims; it should not be read as providing the week-32 case counts. #### Takeaways - Read this as a provincial flash update, not an epidemiological bulletin. - South Kivu is later identified as one of two provinces accounting for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in week 32 of 2026. - The source's cholera surge report is qualitative and predates the verified 2026 week-32 data. #### Visual provenance - Caption: OCHA flash update covers South Kivu humanitarian situation on 26 December 2025. - Alt text: OCHA flash update covers South Kivu humanitarian situation on 26 December 2025. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### Access and security constraints in South Kivu, a province later central to cholera notifications - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-hrw-org` - Publisher: hrw.org - Source type: human\_rights - Registry title: Human Rights Watch: Humanitarian Aid and Displacement Impeded in the High Plateaus of South Kivu - Editorial note: A human rights documentation source; its reporting on access constraints and drone strikes is separate from the WHO epidemiological cholera data. - Original: [Open source]() This Human Rights Watch source documents limited access, scarce telecommunications, and credible reports of eight drone-strike incidents in South Kivu between January and March 2026. According to the excerpt, Human Rights Watch received credible information about eight incidents involving drone strikes in South Kivu between January and March 2026, and notes that information on ongoing violations is rare because of limited access to the area and very restricted telecommunications. South Kivu is one of the two provinces that, together with North Kivu, accounted for 52.55% of suspected cholera notifications in the DRC during epidemiological week 32 of 2026 (3–9 August 2026), according to WHO-reported data (claim 6). This source does not provide cholera case counts; it documents access and security conditions in a province relevant to the cholera distribution. #### Takeaways - Use this source for access and security context in South Kivu, not for cholera epidemiology. - South Kivu is later identified as part of the 52.55% share of suspected cholera notifications in week 32 of 2026. - The drone-strike and access reporting is separate from the WHO-reported cholera figures. #### Visual provenance - Caption: HRW reports aid and displacement impeded in South Kivu high plateaus. - Alt text: HRW reports aid and displacement impeded in South Kivu high plateaus. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### Historical cholera dynamics from 2000 to 2021, before the 2026 epidemiological weeks - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-link-springer-com` - Publisher: link.springer.com - Source type: research - Registry title: Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cholera in the DRC Before and During the Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan, 2000–2021 - Editorial note: A peer-reviewed study with a temporal scope ending in 2021; use it for historical baseline only, not for the 2026 week-32 observations. - Original: [Open source]() This open-access BMC Public Health study, published 22 August 2023, examines spatiotemporal cholera dynamics in the DRC from 2000 to 2021, ending before the verified 2026 week-32 data. The source page identifies this as an open-access research article published on 22 August 2023 in BMC Public Health, volume 23, article number 1592, titled 'Spatiotemporal dynamics of cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before and during the implementation of the Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan: a cross-sectional study from 2000 to 2021.' Because the study's temporal scope ends in 2021, it cannot support the 2026 epidemiological week observations in the verified claims, including the disputed WHO-reported figure of 1,528 suspected cases in week 32 of 2026 (3–9 August 2026). The verified 2026 data show that between epidemiological weeks 1 and 32 of 2026, the DRC 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 (claim 7). #### Takeaways - Use this study for historical spatiotemporal context up to 2021, not for 2026 case counts. - The study predates the verified 2026 week-32 data and cannot confirm or dispute the 1,528 suspected-case figure. - The 2026 cumulative figures are 39,483 suspected cases and 1,173 deaths, with a 2.97% case-fatality rate, per an internal WHO report cited by RFI. #### Visual provenance - Caption: Study analyzes cholera spatiotemporal dynamics in DRC 2000–2021. - Alt text: Study analyzes cholera spatiotemporal dynamics in DRC 2000–2021. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### A long-documented pattern of recurrent cholera in DRC - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-wwwnc-cdc-gov` - Publisher: wwwnc.cdc.gov - Source type: research - Registry title: CDC research on recurrent cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2008–2017 - Editorial note: Historical epidemiological research. Keep separate from the 2026 week-32 surveillance figures in claims 1–8; this source does not report 2026 data. - Original: [Open source]() CDC research covering 2008–2017 provides background on endemic cholera, while the dossier's 2026 claims track current suspected cases. According to the CDC source, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for an estimated 189,000 (5%–14%) of the 1.34–4.01 million cholera cases worldwide annually. Vibrio cholerae repeatedly reappeared in the DRC throughout the 1970s and became endemic around the Great Lakes region, as documented in this research. The 2026 epidemiological week 32 data in the dossier are separate: 1,528 suspected cases (disputed) were reported for 3–9 August 2026, with 16 of 26 provinces affected, per WHO figures cited in claims 1–8. Use this source for historical context only; it does not establish laboratory-confirmed case totals for 2026. #### Takeaways - DRC has a long-documented cholera burden, with annual estimates in the hundreds of thousands per CDC. - The 2026 week-32 figures are current surveillance data, not part of this 2008–2017 study. - Do not use this source to interpret the disputed 1,528 week-32 suspected case count. #### Visual provenance - Caption: CDC research examines recurrent cholera in DRC 2008–2017. - Alt text: CDC research examines recurrent cholera in DRC 2008–2017. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ### Local Kwango report adds detail beyond national week-32 totals - Registry ID: `src-drc-cholera-2026-radiookapi-net` - Publisher: radiookapi.net - Source type: news - Registry title: Radio Okapi: 756 cholera cases and 27 deaths in Popokabaka (Kwango) since June - Editorial note: Local news report from 25 August 2026. The 756 cases and 27 deaths are Radio Okapi's figures, not the WHO week-32 national total; do not conflate. - Original: [Open source]() A Radio Okapi report records 756 cholera cases and 27 deaths in Popokabaka, Kwango, since June, separate from the WHO national week-32 figures. According to Radio Okapi, 756 cholera cases and 27 deaths have been recorded in Popokabaka, Kwango, since June, as reported on 25 August 2026. This local figure is not part of the WHO epidemiological week 32 national data in the dossier, which reported 1,528 suspected cases (disputed) across 16 of 26 provinces for 3–9 August 2026. The dossier's week-32 national total was slightly lower than week 31's 1,568 suspected cases, but remained above 1,000 per week, a level WHO described as alarming as the rainy season approached. Use this source for local context only; it does not provide laboratory confirmation or national surveillance totals. #### Takeaways - Radio Okapi reports a local cholera burden in Popokabaka, Kwango: 756 cases and 27 deaths since June, as of 25 August 2026. - This local report is separate from the WHO week-32 national suspected case count of 1,528 (disputed). - Do not use the 756/27 figures to adjust the national week-32 totals in claims 1–8. #### Visual provenance - Caption: Radio Okapi reports cholera outbreak in Popokabaka since June. - Alt text: Radio Okapi reports cholera outbreak in Popokabaka since June. - Credit: Totally Fine Foundation - Rights / license: Project editorial graphic; original source(s) linked - Asset: [View image]() - Original / provenance: [Open source]() ## Analysis shelf ### DR Congo: Epidemiological situation report on cholera in DR Congo (Internal WHO), week 32, 2026 - Publisher: reliefweb.int - Type: report - Why it matters: Primary WHO situation report for epidemiological week 32; basis for suspected case counts, geographic spread, and Kivu share. - Position note: WHO perspective; covers week 32 (3–9 August 2026) suspected cholera notifications; does not provide laboratory-confirmed totals or independent verification. - Original: [Open source]() ### Weekly Epidemiological Record, Week 32 (3 August – 9 August 2026) - Publisher: who.int - Type: report - Why it matters: WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record for week 32; provides epidemiological context for the reporting period. - Position note: WHO perspective; covers epidemiological week 32 (3–9 August 2026); the excerpt provided does not include the disputed 1,528 figure. - Original: [Open source]() ### Spatiotemporal dynamics of cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before and during the implementation of the Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan: a cross-sectional study from 2000 to 2021 - Publisher: link.springer.com - Type: investigation - Why it matters: Peer-reviewed analysis of cholera spatiotemporal patterns in DRC over two decades. - Position note: Research perspective; covers 2000–2021, not the 2026 week-32 period; does not confirm current figures. - Original: [Open source]() ## Media shelf ### DRC: in the shadow of Ebola, the surge in cholera cases worries WHO - RFI - Publisher: rfi.fr - Type: media - Why it matters: News report citing internal WHO situation report for cumulative weeks 1–32 2026 figures. - Position note: Linked reference, not hosted material; RFI perspective; reports suspected cases and deaths, not confirmed totals. - Original: [Open source]() ### 756 cholera cases and 27 deaths recorded since June in Popokabaka (Kwango) | Radio Okapi - Publisher: radiookapi.net - Type: media - Why it matters: Local media report on cholera in Kwango; provides subnational context not covered by week-32 national figures. - Position note: Linked reference, not hosted material; Radio Okapi perspective; covers Popokabaka since June, not the week-32 national total. - Original: [Open source]() ## 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 - `src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int` — [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 32, 2026](); primary\_document; 2026-08-23 - `src-drc-cholera-2026-reliefweb-int-2` — [reliefweb.int — WHO Internal Cholera Situation Report, DRC — Week 31, 2026](); primary\_document; 2026-08-23 - `src-drc-cholera-2026-who-int` — [who.int — WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record, Week 32, 2026](); primary\_document; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-insp-cd` — [insp.cd — DRC Cholera Situation Bulletin, Week 33, 2025 (INSP)](); primary\_document; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-acp-cd` — [acp.cd — DRC Health Ministry Statement on Mpox and Cholera Control](); official\_position; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-rfi-fr` — [rfi.fr — RFI Report on DRC Cholera Surge Citing Internal WHO Situation Report](); news; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-msf-ch` — [msf.ch — MSF Field Report: Cholera Response in Sangé, South Kivu](); humanitarian; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-msf-org` — [msf.org — MSF Update: Cholera and Measles Response in Shabunda, South Kivu](); humanitarian; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-unocha-org` — [unocha.org — OCHA Situation Report #6: Humanitarian Situation in North Kivu, 15 June 2026](); humanitarian; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-unocha-org-2` — [unocha.org — OCHA Flash Update #2: Humanitarian Situation in South Kivu, 26 December 2025](); humanitarian; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-hrw-org` — [hrw.org — Human Rights Watch: Humanitarian Aid and Displacement Impeded in the High Plateaus of South Kivu](); human\_rights; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-link-springer-com` — [link.springer.com — Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cholera in the DRC Before and During the Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan, 2000–2021](); research; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-wwwnc-cdc-gov` — [wwwnc.cdc.gov — CDC research on recurrent cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2008–2017](); research; date not supplied - `src-drc-cholera-2026-radiookapi-net` — [radiookapi.net — Radio Okapi: 756 cholera cases and 27 deaths in Popokabaka (Kwango) since June](); news; date not supplied