Hassan Magulumali
A cholera outbreak has struck Tanganyika Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with over 100 cases reported since the start of this week in the Nyemba and Kalemie health zones. Health officials have confirmed two deaths linked to the outbreak.
Dr. Wilma Lwabola, Head of the Communications Office for the provincial health division, revealed the situation in a statement broadcast by Radio Okapi. She attributed the outbreak largely to a recent disruption in access to clean drinking water.
“Our province faced a serious water crisis — there was no access to drinking water for about seven days,” said Dr. Lwabola. “This has become a major issue, more so than the cholera outbreak itself. We are in a state of disaster, especially in the Nyemba and Kalemie health areas. Cholera is endemic in our region, but the lack of clean water and the failure of REGIDESO services have exacerbated the situation.”
Due to the ongoing water shortage, many residents have turned to unsafe water sources such as the Lukuga River and Lake Tanganyika, where water is not treated with chlorine, significantly increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Also Read: Warioba, Lissu Discuss Path Forward for Tanzania’s Elections
The outbreak began on April 29, and the number of cases has since climbed alarmingly. On Monday alone, 79 new cases were recorded, followed by 39 on Tuesday. As of Thursday morning, 18 additional cases had been reported.
Health officials are particularly concerned about Nyemba and Kalemie, where cholera is considered a persistent threat. These areas are prone to recurrent outbreaks, often intensified by environmental and infrastructural challenges.
Authorities have called for immediate action to restore access to clean drinking water and to strengthen prevention efforts, including chlorination of water sources.
