Cholera Fatalities in Angola Rise to 150
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Synopsis
The cholera outbreak in Angola has led to a death toll of 150, with over 4,235 infections reported. The majority of cases and fatalities are concentrated in Luanda and Bengo Province. The WHO is supporting vaccination and health initiatives to combat the outbreak.
Key Takeaways
- Cholera outbreak in Angola has resulted in 150 deaths.
- Over 4,235 infections recorded since January.
- 86% of cases and 84% of deaths occurred in Luanda and Bengo Province.
- The WHO is aiding in vaccination efforts.
- Access to safe water is vital to prevent cholera.
Luanda, Feb 18 (NationPress) The toll from the recent cholera outbreak in Angola has tragically reached 150 fatalities, according to the Health Ministry.
Since early January, 4,235 individuals have contracted the disease, the ministry reported.
Cholera cases have emerged in 10 of the 21 provinces in the nation, with a staggering 86 percent of total cases and 84 percent of the deaths occurring in the capital, Luanda, and the adjacent Bengo Province.
Since February 1, Angola has seen over 100 new cholera cases reported daily, peaking at 295 cases on February 8, the ministry disclosed.
Nevertheless, laboratory testing is still limited, with approximately 20 samples analyzed each day.
More than 925,000 individuals have received cholera vaccinations, reaching 86 percent of the targeted population, according to a bulletin from the health ministry on February 10, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in its cholera flash update, has been actively involved in vaccination and safe water initiatives in Angola. They also aim to assist Angolan health authorities with case-finding, case management, health campaigns, and training for response teams.
According to the WHO, cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the consumption of food or water that is contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It poses a significant global public health threat and highlights issues of social and economic disparity. Access to safe water, proper sanitation, and hygiene is crucial for the prevention of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
Most individuals infected with cholera experience mild or moderate diarrhea and can be treated effectively with oral rehydration solutions (ORS). However, the disease can escalate quickly, making prompt treatment essential for saving lives. Severe cases require intravenous fluids, ORS, and antibiotics.
Cholera can lead to severe acute watery diarrhea, which can be deadly within hours if not treated. Most people infected with Vibrio cholerae may not show symptoms but can still transmit the bacteria through their feces for 1 to 10 days. Symptoms typically manifest 12 hours to 5 days after infection.
Cholera has been recognized for centuries, with the first recorded pandemic occurring in the 19th century. Since then, there have been six pandemics that have claimed millions of lives globally. The current (seventh) pandemic originated in South Asia in 1961 and continues to impact populations around the world.
