Burundi : cholera spreads in Bujumbura, water shortage raises fears of worsening the epidemic

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, November 7, 2026 — Cholera is spreading in several neighborhoods of Bujumbura, Burundi’s commercial capital and largest city, where access to clean water remains difficult. Patients with the disease have been transferred to King Khaled Hospital and Prince Louis Rwagasore Hospital. Authorities have also confirmed cases in the Gihosha zone, reigniting concerns about the risk of further spread.

At King Khaled Hospital, a patient hospitalized for another illness expressed concern about the regular arrival of cholera patients at the facility.

“The situation is worrying. Since last week, they have been constantly receiving cholera patients.” “Not a day goes by without a new case being reported,” he testifies.

This patient also laments the lengthy registration process patients must undergo before being examined by a doctor and directed to the appropriate services.

“What worries us even more is that they spend a lot of time with us during the registration process before seeing a doctor who can transfer them to the cholera ward. Those of us hospitalized for other illnesses are afraid of being infected,” he adds.

He requests that people who come to the hospital be examined quickly so that those showing signs of cholera can be treated without exposing other patients to the risk of infection.

In some neighborhoods of the Gihosha zone, north of Bujumbura, and its surroundings, residents are also reporting a significant shortage of drinking water. The confirmation of cholera cases in this area reinforces their concerns, as water supply difficulties persist.

A disease that also affects other localities

The situation in Bujumbura comes as cholera is also raging in other regions of the country. In the Kizuka and Gatete zones of the port district of Rumonge, in Burunga province, southwestern Burundi, about ten cases were reported within a week at the end of October. Seven people were still hospitalized, one had died at home, and three had already recovered.

Read also : [Rumonge : cholera resurfaces in Kizuka and Gatete, one dead and several hospitalized] (https :

).

Lack of clean water and poor hygiene are among the factors contributing to the spread of cholera. This disease is mainly transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water or food. Access to safe water, the use of latrines, and adherence to hygiene measures are essential to prevent infection.

Since the end of 2022, Burundi has been facing a prolonged cholera epidemic, marked by recurring outbreaks in several localities. The situation in Bujumbura highlights the difficulties in accessing clean water and the challenges of disease prevention. It also underscores the urgent need to strengthen sanitation measures and improve water supply to limit the risk of further infections.

……

Health workers disinfect the interiors and surrounding areas of homes in Buterere, north of Bujumbura, an area particularly vulnerable to the spread of cholera (SOS Médias Burundi)