Cholera Outbreak in Angola: 119 Cases, 12 Lives Lost

Government Acts Swiftly as Cacuaco Emerges as the Epicenter

LUANDA, Angola — A cholera outbreak that has kept the Angolan Government on its toes recorded 119 infections and 12 deaths, said the MINSA. In this respect, a pronouncement was made in a Friday evening bulletin elaborating on urgent actions by the government against the outbreak, declared officially on January 7, 2025.

First Case Identified and Response Triggered

The cholera outbreak began with its first confirmed case earlier this month. MINSA immediately engaged in its national cholera response plan, emphasizing enhanced surveillance, sanitation, and community sensitization on the disease. says

“With the confirmation of the first case, the Ministry of Health declared the cholera outbreak,” the bulletin stated.

The authorities have been containing the spread of the disease by distributing calcium hypochlorite, disinfecting high-risk areas, and distributing potable water tanks to the communities. In spite of that, the challenge of poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water has been great in combating the disease.

Cacuaco: The Heart of the Crisis

The outbreak has been worst hit in Cacuaco Municipality, Luanda province. With more than 1.2 million people, Cacuaco has recorded most of the new infections, with 20 out of the 24 identified in the last 24 hours. Unfortunately, it is also where 11 of the 12 recorded fatalities occurred in this highly populated suburban area.

Cholera Statistics and Definitions

The bulletin explained in detail the breakdown of the cases as follows:

Gender distribution: 53% of cases are female, while 47% are male.
Symptom onset: The first signs of cholera appeared on December 31, 2024, in a patient.

A cholera case is defined as a person aged more than two years with severe dehydration or death and presenting acute watery diarrhea, with or without vomiting, in an area with a confirmed cholera outbreak. The laboratory confirmation consists of the isolation of the cholera vibrio in stool samples.

Of the 119 cases, 14 have been laboratory-confirmed, while 12 samples are still under analysis.

Challenges in High-Risk Areas

The Ministry of Health in Angola has acknowledged the challenge to curb the outbreak. The majority of the affected areas, of which Cacuaco is one, experience poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean water. This situation increases the potential for cholera transmission.

Preventive Measures and Public Awareness

The government has stepped up public health education in order to sensitize communities on ways of preventing cholera. Messages include:

Drinking only safe, treated water.
Washing hands with soap, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
Cooking food thoroughly and keeping it covered.
Avoiding open defecation and ensuring proper waste disposal.

Community leaders and health workers have been mobilized to ensure these preventive measures are widely practiced.

Hope Amidst the Crisis

The cholera outbreak, while being quite serious, thus gives some room for hope via the rapid response and coordination by MINSA. Deployment of medical resources, public education campaigns, and improved sanitation measures are being put in place to stem the tide of infections and prevent further loss of life.

As Angola fights this outbreak, it is clear that clean water and sanitation systems are the bedrock. It is a stark reminder that long-term infrastructure investment and health education are critical to saving lives and protecting communities from future outbreaks.

A Call to Action

The cholera outbreak in Angola, with 12 lives lost already and 119 cases reported so far, serves as a pointer to urgent and collective action. Be it governmental intervention or community initiatives, every effort taken today may help save a life tomorrow.

Stay informed and stay safe.