Angola’s cholera outbreak has resulted in 201 deaths and 5,574 infections since January. The disease has spread to 13 provinces, mainly beginning in Luanda. It underscores the necessity of safe water and sanitation to combat such public health threats.
The cholera outbreak in Angola has escalated, with the Health Ministry reporting 201 fatalities among 5,574 infections since January. This infectious disease has proliferated across 13 of the country’s 21 provinces, primarily emanating from the capital, Luanda. Neighboring provinces Bengo and Icolo e Bengo have also been significantly impacted. Recently, Cunene province identified its first case, raising concerns within health services.
Cholera, a serious diarrheal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, poses a substantial public health threat reflecting underlying social and economic inequities. The World Health Organization emphasizes that access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene is crucial in preventing cholera and other waterborne diseases. Most cholera cases present as mild, manageable with oral rehydration solutions (ORS), though prompt treatment remains essential.
The illness manifests as severe acute watery diarrhea and can become fatal rapidly without intervention. While asymptomatic individuals can transmit the bacteria through fecal matter, symptoms typically arise within 12 hours to five days post-infection. Cholera’s historical context includes notable pandemics dating back to the 19th century, with the current global pandemic beginning in South Asia in 1961 and persisting globally today.
The ongoing cholera outbreak in Angola highlights the critical need for improved public health infrastructure and access to clean water and sanitation. With reported deaths and thousands infected, immediate treatment and preventive measures are essential to curbing the disease’s spread. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the impacts of poor socio-economic conditions on public health.
Original Source: madhyamamonline.com
