Luanda, January 12 (IANS). The health ministry said 170 cases of cholera had been recorded in Angola as of 6pm local time.
Three deaths and 51 new cases of cholera were reported in the last 24 hours. The outbreak has now spread to two additional municipalities in the capital province of Luanda.
National emergency response measures have been activated as the cholera outbreak continues to surge since the first case was reported on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.
Earlier on Saturday, Angola’s Health Minister Silvia Lutukuta announced that emergency plans had been activated to deal with the cholera outbreak in the country, particularly in the Cacuaco municipality of Luanda province, the epicenter of the disease.
Health authorities have stepped up epidemiological and laboratory surveillance, according to Lutukuta. Along with resource mobilization, public health communication has been improved and public access to safe drinking water has been ensured.
“Everything we are doing is to fight this disease,” he said.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health called a meeting of the Multi-Sectoral Commission to combat cholera at the General Hospital in Kaikuako.
Adao Silva, director general of the Public Water Company, said work has been done to clean 17 community water tanks previously used for drinking water.
These tanks are no longer used to ensure safe water supply to affected residents.
Angola’s Ministry of Health has activated its National Cholera Response Plan to mobilize medical resources and supplies, with the aim of providing people with potable water.
The ministry cited lack of sanitation in affected areas and provision of potable water in high-risk areas among the challenges in managing the outbreak.
–IANS
MKS/KR
