Africa is facing the worst outbreak of cholera in 25 years, the Africa CDC told reporters in a briefing on Thursday, blaming the rise on fragile water systems and conflict.
The Africa CDC said it had recorded about 300,000 cases of cholera, and suspected cases of cholera, and over 7,000 deaths. The figures show a more than 30 percent increase on total cases recorded last year.
Angola and Burundi have seen cases surge in recent weeks, Africa CDC data shows, driven by poor access to safe water.
Cholera is a severe and potentially fatal diarrheal disease that spreads quickly when sewage and drinking water are not adequately treated.
The outbreak in Congo appeared to be under control with total cases declining, the Africa CDC said. The outlook in conflict-stricken areas remained concerning, as the disease spreads quickly in overcrowded camps with poor sanitation.
The situation has also improved in South Sudan and Somalia.
The Africa CDC said that Ethiopia had detected eight suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever and was waiting for results to determine the exact cause of the illness. Rapid response teams have been deployed to bring the suspected outbreak under control. The Africa CDC said the Mpox outbreak is declining in some of the worst-hit places but remains a concern in places like Kenya, Guinea, Liberia and Ghana.
Africa experiencing worst outbreak of cholera in 25 years, Africa CDC says
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Africa experiencing worst outbreak of cholera in 25 years, Africa CDC says
- Angola and Burundi have seen cases surge in recent weeks, Africa CDC data shows, driven by poor access to safe water
Lufthansa adds more flights to Asia, Africa as Middle East war reshapes air travel
- Airlines across Europe have been redirecting capacity after suspending services in the Middle East
- Lufthansa said the move also helps meet demand on long-haul routes that Middle Eastern carriers cannot currently serve
LONDON: Lufthansa said on Friday it was shifting capacity from 10 canceled Middle Eastern destinations to routes such as Singapore and Bangkok as it contends with disruption from the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Airlines across Europe, including budget carrier Wizz Air , have been redirecting capacity after suspending services in the Middle East.
Lufthansa said the move also helps meet demand on long-haul routes that Middle Eastern carriers cannot currently serve.
Airline stocks have slumped this week as US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran — and retaliatory strikes by Iran across the Middle East — have disrupted long-haul flights and sent oil prices soaring.
“The war in the Middle East proves once again how exposed air traffic is and how vulnerable it remains,” Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said in a statement. He added the outlook was uncertain, particularly for jet fuel costs.
The schedule changes came as the German group reported better-than-expected 2025 results, saying stricter financial management and fleet renewal had helped contain costs and lift profits. Its shares rose as much as 4 percent, before reversing to trade down 1.2 percent at 1246 GMT.
The company said demand on routes to and from Asia and Africa had risen strongly since the conflict began on Saturday, and it would stick with its focus on expanding long-haul services. Spohr said new flights to Asia would launch in days.
Lufthansa did say how many services it had canceled because of the conflict.
While carriers face costs for rescheduling and rerouting, the biggest impact for those outside the Middle East is expected from surging fuel prices. Brent crude futures have jumped more than 20 percent this week.
Spohr said Lufthansa was well hedged in the short term. The group hedges fuel up to 24 months ahead and was 85 percent hedged as of December 31, according to its annual report.
RESILIENCE
European carriers, including Lufthansa, benefited from slightly lower fuel bills in 2025. Lufthansa’s fuel bill fell 7 percent, helping support earnings as passenger demand stayed firm.
“Last year we were able to significantly increase the Group’s operating profit and achieved the highest revenue in our history. Our results demonstrate the resilience and stability of the Group,” Spohr said.
Lufthansa reported an adjusted operating profit of 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion), compared with 1.9 billion euros forecast in a company-compiled analyst poll and up from 1.6 billion euros in 2024. The group also posted an operating margin of 4.9 percent, up from 4.4 percent a year earlier.
Lufthansa aims to lift operating margins to 8 percent-10 percent between 2028 and 2030 from 4.4 percent in 2024, but strikes by workers, including the most recent on February 12, have made it harder to boost profitability.
Bernstein analyst Alex Irving said ongoing weakness in the passenger airline segment persisted, but that strong performances in Cargo and Lufthansa Technik helped lift profits.
The carrier said the outlook for 2026 was unclear due to geopolitical uncertainty. It projected capacity growth of 4 percent, alongside increased revenue and profit margin.
