A severe cholera outbreak in Angola, a country in Central Africa, has claimed the lives of at least 108 people. According to the country’s Ministry of Health, these deaths have occurred since the beginning of this year, and the number of fatalities has been rising in recent days.
Despite being rich in mineral resources and having its own oil reserves, Angola struggles with high poverty rates and inadequate sanitation systems. The Ministry of Health reported that since January, a total of 3,147 cholera cases have been recorded nationwide, with nearly half of them in the capital, Luanda.
The ministry also stated that cholera patients in Angola range in age from 2 to 100 years. In Luanda alone, at least 48 people have died from cholera this year, while in the neighboring province of Bengo, another 43 people have lost their lives to the deadly disease.
Cholera patients typically suffer from severe diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. Without treatment, cholera can cause death within hours. However, in most cases, the disease can be treated with oral rehydration therapy, while severe cases require antibiotics.
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that global cholera-related deaths increased by 71% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
The global cholera outbreak situation has changed significantly. Statistics show that while cholera cases have decreased by 32% in the Middle East and Asia, they have surged by nearly 125% in African countries.