Angola has reported a concerning rise in cholera cases, with 142 new infections confirmed in the last 24 hours across multiple provinces. The new cases were recorded in Benguela, Cuanza-Norte, Luanda, Bengo, Malanje, Icolo e Bengo, Namibe, and Zaire. Tragically, 6 new deaths have been reported, bringing the total death toll to 383 since the beginning of the outbreak in early January. The provinces with the highest number of new infections include Benguela, with 57 new cases, followed by Cuanza-Norte with 34, and Luanda with 20.
The Ministry of Health’s daily information bulletin highlighted that 83 individuals have been discharged from hospitals, but 401 people remain hospitalized across various healthcare facilities in Angola. Since the outbreak began, the cumulative number of cholera cases has reached 9,785, with the most significant concentration in Luanda, which alone accounts for 4,432 cases. Other provinces like Bengo (2,627 cases) and Cuanza-Norte (835 cases) also report significant numbers of infections.
Cholera, a waterborne disease caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, can spread rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean drinking water. The Ministry of Health has been continuously monitoring the situation, urging residents to practice proper hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and boiling water before consumption, to curb the further spread of the disease.
The cholera outbreak has primarily affected urban and peri-urban areas, particularly in the provinces of Luanda, Bengo, and Cuanza-Norte, where water and sanitation infrastructure has been under pressure. The disease’s impact has been particularly severe in these regions due to overcrowding, inadequate waste disposal, and limited access to potable water. Efforts to control the spread include the distribution of oral rehydration salts, cholera vaccines, and water purification tablets to affected areas, alongside public health education campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the disease’s transmission and prevention.
In addition to medical interventions, Angola’s government has ramped up efforts to improve water and sanitation systems in the most affected provinces. Various international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, have joined the response efforts, providing technical support, funding, and supplies to aid the government’s cholera control measures.
While the outbreak has triggered a public health emergency, the situation remains manageable as long as urgent preventive measures are followed. Authorities are working tirelessly to prevent further deaths and to limit the disease’s spread through targeted interventions, including establishing temporary cholera treatment centers in the most affected regions.
As the situation develops, the Ministry of Health continues to release daily updates, urging communities to remain vigilant and take precautions to prevent the transmission of cholera. Efforts to vaccinate at-risk populations and enhance hygiene practices remain at the forefront of the national strategy to control the outbreak and reduce further loss of life.
The cholera outbreak serves as a reminder of the critical need for improved sanitation infrastructure, public health education, and prompt medical responses to contain waterborne diseases in vulnerable regions.
