The number of new cholera cases is slowly but regularly decreasing. Since February 13, when the first case was officially reported, close to 38,0001 cases have been reported nationwide and more than 1,350 people have died. In the last 24 hours, more than 360 people got infected and eight died.

The outbreak has spread out to 12 of the 18 Angolan provinces. During the last week, the situation has improved or stabilized in almost all the provinces except in Kwanza Sul, where the number of new cases and deaths has increased, and Lunda Norte, where the first cases have been reported.

In Luanda, the number of new cases keeps on decreasing in the northern part of town (Boa Vista, Cacuaco, Sambizanga) and is now stabilized in southern municipalities such as Viana, Cazenga and Maianga.

Since the beginning of its intervention, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has treated more than 22,000 people and sent close to 400 tons of medical and logistical supplies to respond to the cholera outbreak. Close to 70 international staff and approximately 800 national staff compose MSF teams.

Provincial Updates

Luanda

So far, more than 19,500 people have been infected by cholera in the capital city and more than 16,000 of them have been treated in MSF centers. Since the first case was reported (February 13), more than 260 people have died in Luanda. MSF has set up 10 cholera structures in the most affected areas of the city: Boa Vista, Sambizanga, Cacuaco, Cazenga, Samba, Maianga, Casequel, Kilamba Kiaxi, and Viana. In the last few days the average of new admissions has varied between 200 and 300 cases per day.

In total, MSF has a capacity of approximately 700 beds in Luanda. A new center with 80 beds has opened last week in Maianga municipality. In Viana, a new cholera treatment unit with 45 beds capacity is opening these days. In Kifandongo, the most important place where water trucks are filled to bring water to different areas of Luanda, MSF is disinfecting more than 500 trucks per day for a total amount of 5 million liters per day.

In Cacuaco, Cazenga and Maianga municipalities, MSF is currently running or supporting eight oral re-hydration points inside local health centers. An oral re-hydration point is a place where people with cholera can be re-hydrated and the severe cases referred immediately to cholera centers. Mobile teams are monitoring the different points on a daily basis. The purpose of having a network of these points in the most affected areas is to reduce the time between case detection and referral to a cholera center and, on the other hand, to treat the mild cases that don't need to be hospitalized.

Huige Province

In the town of Uige, where close to 50 cases and 5 deaths have been reported so far, MSF has set up a 25-bed capacity cholera treatment center. The team has been carrying out water-and-sanitation activities, training of the local staff, disinfecting houses in the city, and performing sensitization activities to create awareness among the population on how to prevent cholera.

Huila Province

Since the beginning of the outbreak, 520 people have been infected and 48 have died. In Lubango town, MSF has opened recently a new cholera treatment center (CTC) with a capacity of 150 beds. An average of 20 new cases are being admitted to the CTC every day. MSF is supporting another cholera treatment unit (CTU) in Quilengue and following closely the situation in Cacula.

Malanje Province

Since the beginning of the outbreak more than 3,800 people have been infected and more than 190 have died. MSF is working in a 120-bed CTC in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Bie Province

In Kuito, where three confirmed cases and one death have been reported, MSF set-up a small CTU and organized an emergency preparedness training for the hospital staff. As no more cases were reported the CTU has now been closed.

Bengo Province

In Caxito, the provincial capital city, MSF continues to support the cholera center. Since the beginning of the outbreak, more than 2,000 cases have been reported and 88 people have died. In the last 24 hours, only 2 new cases have been reported.

Kuanza Norte Province

In this province the number of new cases has been decreasing constantly in the last week. Since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 3,500 people have been infected and 179 have died. MSF is supporting an 85-bed cholera center in N'dalatando and another 20 beds center in Dondo.

Kuanza Sul Province

More than 550 cases and 72 deaths have been reported so far. MSF has set up a 60-bed CTC (48 inpatient beds and 12 observation beds ) in Sumbe, the provincial capital city. Opened last Sunday, the CTC is supported by MSF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and local authorities.

Luanda Norte Province

The first suspected cholera cases have been reported during the last week and still need to be confirmed by laboratory. MSF is already working in a CTC in Cuango and a CTU in Muxinga in collaboration with the local authorities.

Huambo Province

In Ukuma and Kala, MSF organized an emergency preparedness training for the local staff of the two main health structures and donated medical and logistical supplies.

Benguela Province

In Benguela Province, more than 7,400 people have been infected and close to 500 have died. The number of new cases is now decreasing. In the last 24 hours, 34 new cases and no deaths were reported. MSF is running a cholera treatment center in Benguela town with a capacity of 150 beds and other 6 smaller cholera structures in Benguela, Baia Farta, Catumbela, Cubal, Chongoroi and Caimbambo. In Balombo, MSF is supporting a cholera treatment unit with a capacity of 30 beds. The team also carries out water trucking in town.

Namibe Province

MSF will send a team to assess contradictory reports about the situation in the province.

1Official figures provided by the Angolan Ministry of Health.

© 2013 Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)