Angola’s Cholera Outbreak: Urgent Response Required as Cases Spike

Angola is grappling with a cholera outbreak that began in January 2025, with over 16,700 suspected cases reported as of late April. The Ministry of Health has launched a National Response Plan, but the outbreak has resulted in 558 deaths and impacts 17 provinces.

On January 7, 2025, the Bairro Paraíso area in the Municipality of Cacuaco, Luanda Province, confirmed 25 suspected cholera cases, leading to 5 fatalities. The situation escalated quickly, with the count exceeding 30 suspected cases a day later. In a bid to tackle the outbreak, the Ministry of Health convened a meeting on January 8 to kick off the 2025 National Response Plan aimed at controlling cholera and sought assistance from partners, including the Angola Red Cross.

Fast forward to April 29, 2025: the cholera outbreak had ballooned to an alarming 16,719 suspected cases across the nation. Tragically, the death toll climbed to 558, indicating a Case Fatality Rate of 3.3%. As of now, the situation remains grave, with 17 provinces grappling with active cases, pointing to a burgeoning public health crisis that shows little sign of abating.

In summary, Angola is facing a serious cholera outbreak, originally reported in Bairro Paraíso on January 7, 2025. With cases surging to over 16,700 and a significant number of deaths, the response efforts led by the Ministry of Health and supported by various organizations are underway but may need more resources. The ongoing situation across 17 provinces underscores the urgency for effective intervention and management to contain the disease.

Original Source: reliefweb.int