Since late November 2025, Nyanza-Lac health district, south of Burundi, has been facing a resurgence of cholera cases. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team quickly intervened to support the Ministry of Health in setting up a cholera treatment center within the district hospital and to train healthcare staff. According to health authorities, more than 40 admissions were recorded daily during the first week, and more than 150 patients have already been treated since November 28.

Cholera is endemic in the Nyanza-Lake region. Although the last epidemic dates back to 2019, communities living along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, particularly in the Mvugo area, are among those most affected by the new wave of cases.

According to residents, the resurgence of the disease is due to the lack of drinking water observed in recent days. This was caused by the collapse of the road and the rising waters of the lake, water pipes have been damaged, forcing the population to use water from the lake or groundwater.

Cholera is an acute bacterial infection transmitted through water. It manifests itself as sudden and severe diarrhea, which can cause severe dehydration in a short period of time and, in some cases, lead to the death of the patient.