Strengthening active cholera case finding in Angola
One morning in late January 2025, Julia Armando discovered her 68-year-old mother collapsed on the floor, suffering from severe diarrhea and vomiting. “This is a situation I’ve never seen before… It’s shocking to see my mother lying on the floor without strength,” she said. Armando rushed her to the nearest cholera treatment center, where she was treated and thankfully recovered.
After her first-hand experience of the severity of cholera, Angola and the disease outbreak, Armando, from the northwestern Bengo Province and one of the most popular outbreaks, has become an advocate in her community. She spreads awareness of cholera symptoms and needs to report it to the medical institution immediately if it is found. “We need to control this dangerous disease. We can’t live well in a sustained situation,” she said.
Since it was confirmed in Angola on January 7, 2025, Julia’s experience has become increasingly common in the most affected provinces, namely Lulanda, Banga and Icolo e Bengo.
Given the increased risks associated with rainy season attacks, Angola’s health authorities are strengthening control measures to stop the spread of the disease and end the outbreak, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners. This includes deploying 20 rapid response groups in three provinces, namely Lulanda, Bangor and Ixolo Benge, to conduct active case discoveries in the community and to enhance the resilience of the community.
In active case finding and reporting, they trained more than 120 health workers to conduct rapid infection investigations, process data and mobilize communities to take preventive measures. In Banga Province, the health authorities have received support from whom they have established 13 quick response groups working in the community every day.
“Who supports the government to strengthen response groups in the community to ensure timely identify affected people, mobilize communities, control infections and protect Angola’s population,” said Dr. Lelo Zola, Emergency Officer.
In addition to active case findings, the Ministry of Health, with the support of UNICEF, the World Bank and the International Committee of the Red Cross, conducted a five-day reactive vaccination campaign in January 2025, vaccinating 9 million people. The campaign has achieved a vaccination rate of 99.5% due to the strong community engagement and advocacy efforts.
“We are all committed to ending cholera and thanks for their support. With active cholera cases found in the community, coupled with community mobilization, use of safe water, good sanitation, proper surveillance, timely case management and vaccination, we hope that cases will be reduced.
As the epidemic has been confirmed, there have been about 5,000 suspicious cases, including 800 confirmed cases, 180 deaths, and the case mortality rate is 3.6% (CFR). Although whose advice is that CFR should not exceed 1%, it has dropped by 9% from its peak in the second week of January 2025. The death toll was small as more cases were found through active searches and appropriate treatment was performed.
“We all have to work together – governments, national and international organizations, as well as the private sector – to ensure access to treated water, timely treatment and preventive measures, especially in the most critical and difficult areas. Our shared responsibility is to prevent further deaths of this preventable and treatable disease.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.
