In Angola, the number of people killed in the latest cholera outbreak has risen to 201. The Health Ministry of Angola has announced that nearly 5,600 people have been infected since early January.
Cholera cases have been reported in 13 of Angola’s 21 provinces. The outbreak originated in the capital province of Luanda, which has recorded the highest number of cases, followed by the neighbouring provinces of Bengo and Icolo e Bengo. Recently, the province of Cunene also registered its first case.
According to the WHO, Cholera is an acute Diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibro cholera.
It is a global public health threat and indicates inequity and lack of social and economic development. Access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene is essential to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases.