HQ Team
April 1, 2025: Three-hundred and twenty-nine people died after being infected with cholera in the West African nation of Angola as the disease spread to 16 of the country’s 21 provinces, according to the World Health Organization.
As of March 23, 8,543 cases of cholera have been reported since the outbreak in January 2025, with one-third of the deaths occurring in the community, according to a WHO report.
Currently, 253 people are hospitalised. The outbreak initially saw a rapid increase in cases, exceeding 1,000 weekly cases in early February.
This was followed by a decline and a plateau, with case numbers stabilising at approximately 800 cases per week for a month. However, in the week of March 23, cases surged again, reaching close to 1,200 cases—the highest weekly count to date.
20 years old
The highest burden was among those under 20 years old. The WHO termed the spread risk “high” due to the ongoing rainy season and cross-border movement.
This was followed by a decline and a plateau, with case numbers stabilizing at approximately 800 cases per week for a month. However, in the week of 23 March, cases surged again, reaching close to 1200 cases—the highest weekly count to date.
The highest number of cases was reported from Luanda (4,143 cases; 48.5%) and Bengo (2,485 cases; 29.1%) provinces.
Angola has faced recurrent cholera outbreaks since the 1970s, with major surges in 1987 (16,000 cases, 1,460 deaths) and 2006 (over 67,000 cases, 2,700 deaths). After annual outbreaks from 1987 to 1996, cholera re-emerged in 2006 following a decade-long absence.
Diarrheal infection
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is primarily associated with poor sanitation and limited access to safe water.
The disease can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The speed of spread depends on exposure levels, population vulnerability, and environmental conditions. Cholera affects both children and adults and can be fatal if left untreated.
The incubation period ranges from 12 hours to five days after consuming contaminated food or water. While most infected individuals remain asymptomatic, they can still shed the bacteria in faeces for up to 10 days, potentially spreading the infection to others.
Among symptomatic cases, most experience mild to moderate illness, while a smaller proportion develops severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to life-threatening dehydration. However, cholera is highly treatable, with most cases successfully managed through prompt administration of oral rehydration solutions.
