WHO and Bangladesh Achieve Breakthrough in Cholera Control Among Rohingya

The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh and key health agencies, has reported remarkable progress in combating cholera among Rohingya refugees and nearby host communities in Cox's Bazar, following a record-breaking Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign that reached nearly one million people. The campaign, launched in January 2025, achieved 103.6% coverage, a milestone attributed to high community participation and strong coordination across humanitarian sectors.

A Major Public Health Achievement

The OCV campaign, part of a broader strategy to prevent infectious disease outbreaks in one of the world's largest refugee settlements, vaccinated 976,751 people — surpassing its initial target. Children represented 42% (410,235) of those immunized, underscoring the focus on protecting the most vulnerable.

The campaign's success was the result of months of detailed planning and preparation. WHO led technical coordination and provided extensive training to vaccinators on safe administration, data management, and cold-chain integrity. Working closely with Bangladesh's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the campaign mobilized hundreds of health workers and volunteers across 33 refugee camps and surrounding host communities.

According to WHO officials, teams adopted a "door-to-door" approach, ensuring no household was missed. Community volunteers played a crucial role in raising awareness about the vaccine's benefits, dispelling misconceptions, and encouraging participation — a vital step in ensuring equitable access and building trust.

Dramatic Drop in Cholera Cases

The impact of the vaccination drive was immediate. Within weeks, the number of confirmed cholera cases fell from 170 in December 2024 to just 32 by the end of January 2025, representing a fivefold reduction and signaling effective control of the outbreak.

"This campaign demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, governments, and partners unite behind a common goal," said Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh. "Through targeted vaccination, improved water and sanitation, and coordinated surveillance, we have protected hundreds of thousands of lives and prevented a potential epidemic."

The initiative is part of WHO's broader effort to eliminate cholera as a public health threat in vulnerable regions by strengthening health systems and integrating disease surveillance with community engagement.

Protecting the Youngest and Most Vulnerable

In April 2025, WHO and its partners conducted a second round of OCV, targeting 177,222 children aged 1–5 years—the age group most susceptible to severe cholera infection and dehydration. The follow-up campaign combined vaccination with expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, including the installation of new handwashing stations, improved access to clean water, and better waste management in high-risk areas.

Health workers also provided nutrition and hygiene education sessions to parents and caregivers, ensuring that preventive health measures extended beyond vaccination. WHO emphasized that this integrated approach — linking immunization, sanitation, and education — is key to building long-term resilience against future outbreaks.

Strengthening Preparedness and Response

To sustain these gains, WHO and the Government of Bangladesh organized a cholera preparedness simulation exercise in May 2025. The exercise brought together health authorities, local NGOs, and international partners to test emergency response protocols and refine coordination mechanisms for future crises.

Participants simulated a cholera outbreak scenario, practicing rapid detection, data sharing, case management, and community mobilization. The drill highlighted the importance of multisectoral collaboration between health, WASH, and logistics sectors, ensuring that stakeholders can act swiftly and efficiently in real emergencies.

"The simulation exercise helped us strengthen our readiness and ensure that all sectors — from surveillance officers to WASH engineers — know their roles during an outbreak," said Dr. Ahmedul Kabir, Additional Director General of Health Services for Bangladesh.

Building Resilience in Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar, home to nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees, remains highly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks due to overcrowding, limited sanitation infrastructure, and seasonal flooding. Over the years, WHO and its partners have worked to establish integrated disease surveillance networks, train health workers, and build laboratory testing capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks early.

The recent vaccination success builds on earlier WHO-supported efforts, including COVID-19 vaccination drives, diarrhoeal disease prevention, and malnutrition reduction programs. Combined, these initiatives have significantly strengthened local health systems and improved outcomes for both refugees and host communities.

Global Recognition and Continued Support

Bangladesh's OCV campaign has drawn praise from international health experts as a model of effective humanitarian collaboration. It demonstrates how proactive vaccination, coupled with strong community engagement and cross-sectoral coordination, can achieve high coverage rates even in complex and resource-constrained settings.

The WHO continues to support Bangladesh's efforts to maintain cholera-free conditions through routine immunization, community education, and improved WASH services. The agency is also advocating for sustained funding and global solidarity to ensure that progress made in Cox's Bazar is not reversed by future emergencies.

Looking Ahead

With the cholera threat now largely under control, health authorities are turning their focus to long-term prevention — including investment in clean water infrastructure, climate-resilient sanitation systems, and expanded surveillance for other waterborne diseases.

"The results in Cox's Bazar show that cholera can be controlled — and ultimately eliminated — through science, partnership, and perseverance," Dr. Rana said. "This success offers hope not just for Bangladesh, but for all countries striving to protect the world's most vulnerable from preventable disease."