Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Cholera outbreak spreads across Yangon, over 180 hospitalised
Cholera is a sickness you can get from drinking dirty water or eating food that has germs on it.
It makes people very sick with diarrhea and can be dangerous.
Many people in Yangon, a big city in Myanmar, have gotten sick with cholera.
More than 180 people have had to go to the hospital because of it.
One very old man, who was 92 years old, died from the sickness.
The sickness started last week and is spreading.
Most of the sick people live in the middle of the city, especially in an area called Chinatown.
The dirty water and food sold on the streets might be making people sick.
The doctors and nurses are working hard to help people and make the water safe to drink.
They are also checking other hospitals to make sure they can help people too.
More than 180 people in Yangon have been hospitalised with diarrhea, a common symptom of cholera, according to Dr. Nanda Win, head of the Yangon Region Public Health and Medical Services Department.
At least 93 patients have tested positive for cholera at a single hospital in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, as an outbreak that began last week continues to spread.
Dr. Nanda Win said Friday that one 92-year-old man had died from the outbreak.
Cases are mainly concentrated in downtown Yangon, particularly in Chinatown, with contaminated water and takeaway street food identified as possible sources.
Reports of cholera cases have also emerged outside the Yangon region, including among people returning from Yangon, according to Aung Myo, an ambulance worker in Kyaikkhami, Mon State.
- Who
- Residents of Yangon, Myanmar, including a 92-year-old man who died, and health officials such as Dr. Nanda Win and Dr. Tin Tun.
- What
- A cholera outbreak has spread across Yangon, with more than 180 people hospitalised and at least 93 testing positive at a single hospital.
- When
- The outbreak began last week and continues to spread; Dr. Nanda Win reported the death on Friday.
- Where
- Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, particularly downtown and Chinatown, with cases also reported in Mon State.
- Why
- Contaminated water and takeaway street food are possible sources, linked to deteriorating sanitation conditions and the weakened health care system under junta rule.
Public Health Concern
Government Capacity
Cause of outbreak
Public Health Concern
Deteriorating sanitation conditions, including inadequate food outlet inspections, insufficient water supplies for cleaning, and poorly maintained drainage systems, are linked to the outbreak.
Government Capacity
The outbreak is placing additional pressure on Myanmar's already weakened health care system, which has deteriorated under junta rule as military spending has taken priority over health services.
- Hospitalised
- More than 180 people in Yangon
- Confirmed cases at one hospital
- At least 93 patients
- Deaths
- One 92-year-old man
- Main affected area
- Downtown Yangon, particularly Chinatown
- Possible sources
- Contaminated water and takeaway street food
- Other hospitals preparing
- 83 hospitals across the Yangon region
- Cases outside Yangon
- Reported in Mon State, including returning travelers