Cholera update in Angola and Sudan

May 18 2006

Cholera in Angola: As of 16 May 2006, Angola has reported a total of 35 775 cases and 1298 deaths (case fatality rate (CFR) 4%). In the last 24 hours 546 new cases including 31 deaths have been reported.

Eleven out of 18 provinces are affected; of all cases, 51% have occurred in Luanda and 21% in Benguela province. The CFR, broken down by province, ranges between 1 and 30%. Although current trends show a decline in Luanda and Benguela provinces, a daily incidence of around 600 cases is still being reported. (see epicurve below for weekly incidence)

The National Laboratory of Public Health has confirmed the isolation of Vibrio cholerae 01 serotype Inaba in 9 out of 13 samples.

The Ministry of Health (MoH), WHO and other partners continue to develop field activities to control the outbreak: daily coordination meetings; house to house visits for following up of contacts; disinfestations; collection of specimen for bacteriological laboratory examination; distribution of safe drinking water and chlorine; dissemination of preventive measures through the local media and distribution of health education materials by social mobilization groups.

WHO has sent six international experts to reinforce the national team in providing support for coordination, water and sanitation, logistics and epidemiological surveillance.

Cholera in southern Sudan: As of 5 May 2006, the cumulative number of cases in southern Sudan is 13 852, with 516 deaths (CFR 3.73%) . The outbreak started in Yei at the end of January. Six out of ten states have confirmed cases . The current focus of the outbreak is in East Equatoria State. A task force including key partners (WHO and other UN agencies, NGOs) is assisting the Ministry of Health of southern Sudan to coordinate the response to the outbreak.