As cholera cases continue to rise in Cameroon’s Far North Region, the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, convened health officials and key partners in Maroua on July 3, 2026, to strengthen coordination and accelerate the response to the outbreak.
According to the latest figures released by health authorities, the region has recorded 166 confirmed cases, including 10 deaths, while 109 patients remain under treatment.
Officials reiterated that cholera treatment continues to be provided free of charge, a measure aimed at encouraging early consultation and reducing preventable deaths.
Health authorities, administrative officials and development partners meet in Cameroon’s Far North Region to strengthen coordination and reinforce operational measures aimed at containing the ongoing cholera outbreak.
Cameroon is strengthening its response to cholera in the Far North Region as health officials work to contain persistent outbreaks in several health districts. During a high-level coordination meeting held on July 3, the Minister of Public Health brought together administrative authorities, health professionals and development partners to assess the evolving epidemiological situation and accelerate interventions on the ground.
According to the latest figures released by health authorities, the region has recorded 166 confirmed cases, including 10 deaths, while 109 patients remain under treatment. Officials reiterated that cholera treatment continues to be provided free of charge, a measure aimed at encouraging early consultation and reducing preventable deaths.
Rather than focusing solely on emergency medical care, the meeting highlighted a broader public health strategy designed to interrupt transmission at community level. Discussions centered on strengthening epidemiological surveillance, ensuring the continuous availability of medical supplies, improving case management and intensifying public awareness campaigns across affected districts.
Health officials stressed that rapid detection and reporting of suspected cases remain critical to preventing new outbreaks. Surveillance teams are expected to work closely with local health facilities and community actors to identify cases early and respond before infections spread to neighboring communities.
Beyond clinical care, authorities emphasized that the success of the response will depend largely on community participation. The Minister of Public Health urged residents to adopt strict hygiene and sanitation practices, describing them as the most effective defense against the disease. Regular handwashing with soap, drinking safe water, maintaining clean household environments and improving waste management were highlighted as essential measures to reduce the risk of infection.
Regional authorities also pledged to reinforce local implementation of these preventive measures. Addressing participants, the Governor of the Far North Region reaffirmed the commitment of the territorial administration to support the health response by mobilizing divisional and local authorities, decentralized councils and community leaders to promote hygiene and sanitation throughout the region.
The coordination meeting also provided an opportunity for government institutions and technical and financial partners to review ongoing interventions and identify operational priorities. Improved coordination among stakeholders is expected to facilitate faster deployment of resources, strengthen surveillance activities and ensure a more effective response in the districts most affected by the outbreak.
As Cameroon continues to confront recurrent cholera outbreaks, health authorities insist that containing the disease requires more than medical treatment alone. Sustained surveillance, coordinated action and active community involvement remain the pillars of an effective public health response. By reinforcing these measures in the Far North, the government hopes to halt transmission quickly and protect vulnerable populations from a disease that is largely preventable through safe water, adequate sanitation and good hygiene practices.
