Cholera has re-emerged in Burundi since early 2025, following several years without outbreaks, primarily due to a lack of clean drinking water and poor sanitation conditions. The outbreak began in the northern and central regions, including Cibitoke, Bubanza, Bujumbura, and Rumonge, but has intensified in the Lake Nyanza health district, where daily cases have surged to over 50. As of December 7, 2025, the cumulative number of cholera cases rose from 2,689 on November 29 to 2,968, marking an increase of 279 cases within a week. Contributing factors include flooding from heavy rains, which has contaminated water sources and worsened sanitation, along with significant population movements from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, heightening the risk of cross-border transmission.
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