Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Angola has been grappling with a severe cholera outbreak since January 2025, with over 8,500 reported cases and 329 deaths as of March 23, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The outbreak has spread rapidly, affecting 16 out of the country’s 21 provinces, with the highest number of cases in Luanda, the capital.
The WHO warned, “Given the rapidly evolving outbreak, ongoing rainy season, and cross-border movement with neighboring countries, WHO assesses the risk of further transmission in Angola and surrounding areas as very high.”
The disease has particularly affected young people, with the most impacted age group being those between 6 and 14 years old.
The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and other partners, is actively managing the crisis through case detection, rapid response teams, community engagement, and a vaccination campaign.
Despite initial fluctuations in case numbers, there was a recent surge, with nearly 1,200 new cases reported in the week of March 23—the highest weekly count to date.
“The outbreak initially saw a rapid increase in cases, exceeding 1,000 weekly cases in early February,” WHO reported, noting that a temporary decline was followed by a resurgence in March.
Over one-third of the reported deaths occurred in the community, highlighting the challenges of access to timely medical care.
Cholera, a diarrheal disease caused by consuming contaminated food or water, remains a significant public health threat in Angola.
WHO data indicates that hospital fatality rates stand at 2.5%, with 253 patients currently hospitalized. Men make up slightly more than half of reported cases (55.3%).
The hardest-hit provinces are Luanda, which accounts for 48.5% of cases, and Bengo, with 29.1%.
As authorities continue their response efforts, the spread of the disease remains a major concern, especially given the ongoing rainy season, which could further exacerbate the crisis.
