Angola’s Minister of Health stated on Saturday that the government is “concerned” about the evolution of the cholera outbreak in the country, but emphasized that the executive is mobilized and taking measures that have prevented further deaths.
In statements to the Lusa news agency, Sílvia Lutucuta acknowledged that “the outbreak is not yet under control,” but highlighted that the government has a “structured and multisectoral” response underway, which includes improving basic sanitation and the supply of drinking water, the main sources of disease transmission.
“We are improving basic sanitation, reinforcing the supply of drinking water, and acting on multiple fronts. I’m not saying we are completely at ease, but we are preventing deaths,” said Sílvia Lutucuta.
The minister stressed that the response measures aim to prepare Angola for the critical phase of the rainy and hot seasons, periods in which the risk of disease spread increases, and confirmed that all government sectors are mobilized.
“We are not standing still; we have a national contingency plan, structured at the provincial and municipal levels, and the main concern is preventing fatalities,” she said during a visit to the Dr. Manuel Pedro Azancot de Menezes Maternal and Child Hospital in Luanda.
The minister emphasized that fighting cholera requires a joint approach between the government and the population: “We have also intensified health education because everyone must be an active participant in the fight against cholera, not just the government. An educated and cooperative population can also help control the outbreak, and that is the path we are taking,” she stated.
According to the latest epidemiological bulletin from the Ministry of Health, 133 new cholera cases were reported on October 1 – 75 in Uíge, 31 in Lunda Norte, 20 in Huíla, and 7 in Cunene – along with two deaths in Lunda Norte.
Since the outbreak began in January, the country has recorded 29,713 cases and 816 deaths.
Data released on Thursday indicate that Africa has already surpassed this year the number of cholera cases recorded in all of 2024, with Angola being one of the most affected countries.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting contaminated water or food, associated with poor sanitation and hygiene conditions, and can be fatal if not treated promptly with proper hydration.
Source: Lusa
