The World Health Organization warns of increasing the number of cholera cases, with special incidence in Africa. Between January and April, there were more than 157,000 cases and the disease has made 2,148 deaths. Angola is the fourth country with more occurrences.
UN Health Agency explains that the number of outbreaks and cholera cases is increasing worldwideparticularly in 26 countries, with the Africafollowed by the east of the Mediterranean and the southeast of Asia as main outbreaks.
The countries with the most recorded cases are the South SudanAfghanistan and Democratic Republic of Congo. Angola appears in fourth place, with a total of 15,844 cases.
The Portuguese language nation, where the disease is responsible for at least 9 daily deaths Since the beginning of the year, it goes through a very complicated moment.
Last month alone, a total of 37 thousand new cases of cholera were reported to WHO, who in extreme cases made 561 victims in 18 countries – A 5% increase compared to numbers collected in March.
A United Nations that the amount of oral vaccines against cholera is already far below expected. Stock, which should count on at least 5 million of vaccines in emergencycurrently already has only 3.6 million of doses.
Conflicts, natural disasters and consequences of climate crisisThese are factors that help explain this scary increase in the number of cholera cases.
WHO recalls that any partner who can help is welcome – for example, Portuguese medical teams that went to Angola to support the Ministry of Health.
Angolan authorities set up a Cholera Treatment Center in order to better manage infections. WHO also sent teams to support access to access to fluid replacement solutions in Angolan communities and improve the quality of treatment.
Most infections arise in Luandathe capital of the country, and the provinces of Bengo, Benguela and Cuanza Norte, with Angola reporting 6.201 new cases and 164 deaths only in the last month.
Nurses were sent by the UN to countries such as Haiti, Kenya, Mozambique, Sudan and South Sudan. Another combat front is water, sanitation and hygiene programs, known as “wash“In order to prevent the disease from spreading.
In late April, WHO held an online conference in Africa on the decentralized treatment of cholera, in which more than 150 Representatives of African health ministries and partner organizations in affected and high risk rates.
