Angola is grappling with its most severe cholera outbreak in two decades, with the disease spreading to 17 of the country’s 21 provinces since January 2025. The outbreak has claimed nearly 600 lives and infected over 18,000 people as of early May, according to United Nations agencies, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced public health measures.
Rapid Response Efforts Underway
The Angolan Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners, is intensifying efforts to contain the crisis. Rapid response teams are deployed for case detection, treatment, and community engagement, while a vaccination campaign launched in February has reached over 1 million people in the hardest-hit areas, including Luanda and Benguela provinces.
“We walk around with loudspeakers, urging people to do what they can to get rid of this evil,” said António Catunda, a Health Promotion supervisor, emphasizing the community-driven efforts to promote hygiene and curb the spread of cholera, which thrives in areas with poor sanitation and contaminated water.
High Fatality Rate Signals Treatment Gaps
Despite these interventions, the outbreak’s case fatality rate stands at 3.2%, well above the WHO’s 1% threshold for adequate treatment, signaling delays in accessing care. The disease, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, has disproportionately affected young people, with those under 20 years old making up a significant portion of cases.
Health Workers Battle Exhaustion
Health workers on the ground are exhausted but resolute. “We’re tired of seeing deaths, we’re tired of seeing patients with these problems,” said a community development and health agent. “Since January 13, when we started battling cholera, we’ve been fighting non-stop. We want at least one day of rest, but we can’t stop until this is over.”
A Regional Crisis with Historical Roots
Angola’s last major cholera outbreak in 2006 claimed over 2,700 lives, and the country has faced recurrent surges, particularly during the rainy season. The current outbreak is part of a broader cholera crisis in Eastern and Southern Africa, with over 178,000 cases reported across the region between January 2024 and March 2025. South Sudan and Angola are among the most severely affected.
Compounding the challenge, cross-border movement with neighboring countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, combined with seasonal rains, is fueling transmission.
The WHO and UNICEF have called for increased funding to support water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives, as well as long-term investments in infrastructure to prevent future outbreaks.
Call for Global Support
“This outbreak underscores the critical need for clean water and robust sanitation systems,” said Dr. Zabulon Yoti, WHO Representative in Angola. “Without addressing these root causes, cholera will continue to haunt vulnerable communities.”
As Angola fights to bring this outbreak under control, the resilience of its health workers and communities remains a beacon of hope amid a dire public health crisis.
The international community is urged to step up support to help end the outbreak and build a healthier future for Angola.
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