# Cholera in Somalia: every reported outbreak from 1970 to 2021 > Cholera in Somalia year by year since 1970: cases and deaths reported to WHO, the great outbreaks of 1985–86, 1994, 2007, 2011 and 2017, why outbreaks recur, and the vaccine campaigns. Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/cholera-in-somalia/ Last checked: 2026-11-13 Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com) ## In short Somalia's cases and deaths from cholera have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1970 ([WHO Global Health Observatory, cholera cases and deaths, Somalia](https://ghoapi.azureedge.net/api/CHOLERA_0000000001?$filter=SpatialDim%20eq%20%27SOM%27)). The three deadliest years on record are 2007, 2011 and 2017, each with more than 1,100 reported deaths. A WHO review calls cholera "endemic in the country", with outbreaks "during dry and rainy seasons". It names the protracted conflict, limited primary health care, and limited safe water and sanitation for displaced people as the main drivers ([Lubogo and others, *Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal* 29(9), 2023](https://www.emro.who.int/emhj-volume-29-2023/volume-29-issue-9/responding-to-cholera-outbreaks-in-somalia-in-20172019.html)). ## Year by year Cases and deaths reported to WHO. Years with no entry were not reported. | Year | Cases | Deaths | |---|---|---| | 1970 | 43 | 10 | | 1971 | 89 | 10 | | 1985 | 10,199 | 1,589 | | 1986 | 15,980 | 1,945 | | 1994 | 28,334 | 1,206 | | 1995 | 9,255 | 191 | | 1996 | 10,274 | 464 | | 1997 | 6,814 | 252 | | 1998 | 4,417 | 196 | | 1999 | 17,757 | 693 | | 2000 | 7,496 | 563 | | 2001 | 2,567 | 93 | | 2002 | 2,775 | 159 | | 2003 | 11,020 | 56 | | 2004 | 4,490 | 26 | | 2007 | 41,643 | 1,182 | | 2008 | 1,281 | 16 | | 2009 | 208 | 3 | | 2010 | 3,510 | 103 | | 2011 | 77,636 | 1,130 | | 2012 | 22,576 | 200 | | 2013 | 6,864 | 140 | | 2014 | 2,820 | no figure | | 2015 | 7,536 | 84 | | 2016 | 15,619 | 548 | | 2017 | 78,701 | 1,163 | | 2018 | 6,448 | 45 | | 2019 | 3,089 | 4 | Sources: 1970 to 2016 from the [WHO Global Health Observatory](https://ghoapi.azureedge.net/api/CHOLERA_0000000001?$filter=SpatialDim%20eq%20%27SOM%27) (indicators CHOLERA_0000000001 and CHOLERA_0000000002, downloaded 13 November 2026). 2017 to 2019 from [Lubogo and others 2023](https://www.emro.who.int/emhj-volume-29-2023/volume-29-issue-9/responding-to-cholera-outbreaks-in-somalia-in-20172019.html). Death rates among those reported sick fell sharply over time. In 1985 about 16% of reported cases died; in 2017 the figure was 1.48%, in 2018 0.70% and in 2019 0.13% (WHO data; Lubogo and others 2023). ## The great outbreaks - **1985 and 1986.** More than 26,000 cases and 3,500 deaths over the two years (WHO data). - **1994.** 28,334 cases and 1,206 deaths, in the years after the [1991 to 1993 famine](/en/society/famine-1991-1993/) (WHO data). - **2007.** 41,643 cases and 1,182 deaths (WHO data). - **2011.** 77,636 cases and 1,130 deaths, during [the 2010 to 2012 famine](/en/society/famine-2010-2012/). The famine mortality study records cholera and measles epidemics in nearly all affected regions ([Checchi and Robinson, FAO/FSNAU and FEWS NET, 2013, p. 5](https://fsnau.org/downloads/Somalia_Mortality_Estimates_Final_Report_8May2013_upload.pdf)). - **2017.** The worst year on record, during [the 2016 to 2018 drought](/en/society/drought-2016-2018/) (below). ## The 2017 to 2019 outbreaks - **January 2017.** The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed cholera in [Hiiraan](/en/regions/hiiraan/) region, *Vibrio cholerae* serotype Ogawa. It spread to most districts and regions and peaked in May and June 2017 (Lubogo and others 2023). - **Drought.** The drought affected over 60% of the country and caused "Somalia's worst cholera outbreak in a decade" (Lubogo and others 2023). - **Vaccines.** In March 2017 WHO and partners ran Somalia's first national oral cholera vaccination campaign, reaching over 450,000 people. By May 2017 cholera treatment centres were working in 40 districts ([WHO, 11 May 2017](https://www.who.int/news/item/11-05-2017-who-calls-for-immediate-action-to-save-lives-in-somalia)). - **Floods.** The [Shabelle](/en/economy/farming-and-harvests/) and Juba valleys flood about twice a year, which contaminates water sources (Lubogo and others 2023). ## After 2019 WHO situation reports gave a running total of 20,762 suspected cases and 117 deaths, reported from eight regions, by October 2021 ([WHO EMRO, Somalia situation reports](https://www.emro.who.int/somalia/information-resources/situation-reports.html)). ReliefWeb lists the Somalia cholera outbreak as ongoing from 2016 to 2026 under GLIDE number EP-2016-000053-SOM ([ReliefWeb, Somalia: Cholera Outbreak 2016–2026](https://reliefweb.int/disaster/ep-2016-000053-som)). ## Sources - World Health Organization. [Global Health Observatory: number of reported cases of cholera; number of reported deaths from cholera](https://ghoapi.azureedge.net/api/CHOLERA_0000000001?$filter=SpatialDim%20eq%20%27SOM%27). Data API `ghoapi.azureedge.net`, Somalia (SOM). - Lubogo, M., Evans, B., Abdinasir, A. and others (2023). [Responding to cholera outbreaks in Somalia in 2017–2019](https://www.emro.who.int/emhj-volume-29-2023/volume-29-issue-9/responding-to-cholera-outbreaks-in-somalia-in-20172019.html). *Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal* 29(9): 734–741. doi:10.26719/emhj.23.096. - WHO (2017). [WHO calls for immediate action to save lives in Somalia](https://www.who.int/news/item/11-05-2017-who-calls-for-immediate-action-to-save-lives-in-somalia), 11 May 2017. - WHO EMRO. [Somalia situation reports](https://www.emro.who.int/somalia/information-resources/situation-reports.html). - Checchi, F. and Robinson, W. C. (2013). [Mortality among populations of southern and central Somalia affected by severe food insecurity and famine during 2010–2012](https://fsnau.org/downloads/Somalia_Mortality_Estimates_Final_Report_8May2013_upload.pdf). - ReliefWeb. [Somalia: Cholera Outbreak 2016–2026](https://reliefweb.int/disaster/ep-2016-000053-som). --- I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.