Angola is confronting its most devastating cholera outbreak in 20 years, with the disease expanding rapidly across the country. Since January, infections have been confirmed in 17 of Angola’s 21 provinces, underscoring the scale of the health emergency.
By early May, nearly 600 people had lost their lives and over 18,000 cases had been reported, according to figures from United Nations agencies. Health officials fear those numbers could rise further as efforts to contain the outbreak face significant challenges on the ground.
The Ministry of Health, working closely with partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), has intensified its response. Key strategies include early case detection, rapid response deployment, and active community engagement aimed at raising awareness about prevention and symptoms.
Community health workers are playing a crucial role in the outreach campaign. “We walk through neighborhoods with loudspeakers, urging families to take preventive steps to stop this disease from spreading,” explained António Catunda, a supervisor of health promotion activities. These awareness campaigns are vital in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation, where the disease tends to spread quickly.
In February, the government launched an oral cholera vaccination drive. So far, the campaign has reached approximately one million people, a critical step toward curbing transmission. However, the outbreak continues to take a heavy toll. Angola’s current case fatality rate stands at 3.2%, far exceeding the 1% threshold that indicates timely and effective treatment.
Healthcare workers and volunteers are stretched thin. Many have been working continuously since the outbreak began. Flávio Njinga, a local community health agent known as an Adeco, expressed the emotional toll: “We are tired of seeing people die. We’ve been fighting since January 13 without rest. We want just one day to recover, but we can’t afford to stop. We are the first line of defense, and we will keep going until this is over.”
Children and youth under the age of 20 represent a significant portion of those infected, raising concern about long-term impacts on younger populations already vulnerable due to gaps in access to healthcare and clean water.
Angola’s most recent large-scale cholera outbreak occurred in 2006, claiming more than 2,700 lives. Though the country has experienced smaller, seasonal outbreaks since then, especially during the rainy season, the current crisis is notable for both its severity and spread.
The situation in Angola is part of a broader regional trend. According to UNICEF, over 178,000 cholera cases have been recorded across Eastern and Southern Africa between January 2024 and March 2025. South Sudan and Angola have been identified as the hardest hit, reflecting systemic challenges in public health infrastructure, water safety, and emergency preparedness throughout the region.
Authorities continue to urge international support and sustained community cooperation as Angola works to contain the outbreak and prevent further loss of life.