Cholera Outbreak in Angola Results in Over 300 Fatalities, WHO Reports

Angola is currently facing a severe cholera outbreak, with reported fatalities exceeding 300 as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of March 23, the outbreak has resulted in 8,543 cases, prompting health authorities to declare the risk of further transmission in Angola and neighboring regions as 'very high.'

The outbreak, which began in January, has rapidly spread across 16 of Angola's 21 provinces. The WHO highlights that the outbreak has disproportionately affected younger populations, particularly those under the age of 20. Despite the country's considerable oil wealth, Angola continues to grapple with significant poverty levels and inadequate sanitation systems, which complicate efforts to manage the outbreak.

In response to this public health crisis, the Ministry of Health, with assistance from the WHO and various partners, is actively engaged in combating the outbreak. Their efforts include case detection, the deployment of rapid response teams, community outreach initiatives, and a vaccination campaign aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.

With the ongoing rainy season contributing to the outbreak's escalation and increased cross-border movement with neighboring nations, the WHO has issued warnings regarding the heightened risk of further cholera transmission in the region. In fact, Namibia, which borders Angola, recently reported its first cholera case in nearly a decade--a 55-year-old woman who has since recovered and been released from the hospital.

Cholera, an acute intestinal infection, is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and is typically spread through consumption of contaminated food and water. Symptoms can include severe diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps, and if left untreated, the disease can be fatal within hours. However, timely treatment with oral rehydration solutions and antibiotics for more severe cases is effective in managing the illness.

Globally, there has been an alarming increase in cholera cases and their geographical spread since 2021. Between January 1 and March 23 of this year, a total of 93,172 cholera cases and 1,197 related deaths have been documented across 24 countries, with approximately 60% of these cases occurring in Africa.