Cholera in Angola - update

18 May 2006

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)

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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.

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