At least 108 people in Angola have died from cholera since the beginning of the year, with an increase in the number of fatalities in the last few days, the country’s health ministry reported on Tuesday.
Despite its vast oil wealth, Angola continues to struggle with high poverty rates and poor sanitation, contributing to a worsening cholera outbreak.
Since January 7, the health ministry has confirmed 3,147 cases of the disease, with nearly half recorded in the capital, Luanda. The outbreak has affected individuals aged between two and 100 years.
At least 48 people have died in Luanda, while 43 fatalities have been reported in Bengo province, which borders the capital.
Cholera, an acute intestinal infection, spreads through contaminated food and water, often due to poor sanitation. It leads to severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and muscle cramps and can be fatal within hours if untreated. However, simple oral rehydration therapy and antibiotics can effectively treat the disease.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported a 71% increase in global cholera deaths in 2023 compared to the previous year. While cases dropped 32% in the Middle East and Asia, Africa saw a staggering 125% surge, highlighting the continent’s growing vulnerability to the disease.
