224 cholera cases recorded in Angola with 18 deaths

IANS January 13, 2025 193 views

Angola is currently battling a serious cholera outbreak with 224 confirmed cases and 18 deaths, primarily concentrated in Luanda province. The Ministry of Health has activated national emergency response measures to control the spread of this waterborne disease. Cholera remains a global health threat, with WHO highlighting the critical importance of clean water and sanitation. Quick medical intervention is crucial, as the disease can progress rapidly and become life-threatening if not treated promptly.

"Access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene is essential to prevent cholera" - World Health Organization
224 cholera cases recorded in Angola with 18 deaths
Luanda, Jan 13: Angola has registered 224 cholera cases, the Ministry of Health reported.

Key Points

1

Luanda reports majority of cholera cases

2

National emergency response activated

3

Cholera can progress rapidly without treatment

4

Global pandemic continues to affect multiple countries

In the past 24 hours, three cholera deaths and 54 new cases have been reported, with most of the cases recorded in the capital province of Luanda.

National emergency response measures have been activated as the cholera outbreak continues to escalate since the first confirmed case was reported in Angola on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to World Health Organization, Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. 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.

Most people with cholera have mild or moderate diarrhoea and can be treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS). However, the disease can progress rapidly, so starting treatment quickly is vital to save lives. Patients with severe disease need intravenous fluids, ORS and antibiotics.

Cholera has been known for many centuries. The first pandemic, or global epidemic, was recorded in the 19th century. Since then, six pandemics have killed millions of people worldwide. The current (seventh) pandemic started in south Asia in 1961 and continues to affect populations globally.

WHO considers the current global risk from cholera as very high and is responding with urgency to reduce deaths and contain outbreaks in countries around the world.

Since October 23, 2024 and as of November 25, 2024, 28 953 new cholera cases, including 257 new deaths, have been reported worldwide. New cases have been reported from Afghanistan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Malawi, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Share this article:
Tags:
You May Like!