Chad faces a renewed cholera crisis, with health officials reporting 13 deaths and 239 confirmed cases since the outbreak began. The epidemic has primarily affected Hadjer Lamis province in the north and the capital, N’Djamena. Authorities declared the outbreak on July 24, following initial fatalities in mid-June.

To combat the spread, a nationwide vaccination campaign has been launched. Over 50,000 people have already received the vaccine, according to health authorities. The biggest hurdle remains the limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation, which fuels the transmission of this infectious disease.

Cholera spreads through contaminated water or food and can be effectively treated with rapid rehydration and, in severe cases, antibiotics. Without treatment, the disease can be fatal within hours. Chad is not alone in this struggle; neighboring countries such as the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have also reported cholera outbreaks in recent months.