Cholera vaccination campaign in Angola: A coordinated response to save lives

After weeks of anguish and uncertainty, the sun shines again in the Paraíso neighborhood in Cacuaco. In his wheelchair, António is wheeled towards the vaccination team at the local community center. Once filled with worry and sadness, his gaze now conveys relief and gratitude. The cholera that devastated so many lives in his neighborhood has left a trail of pain. He has lost friends and neighbors. However, as he approaches the vaccination team, a genuine smile appears.

Angola vaccinates over 1 million people as it bolsters cholera outbreak control effo...

Luanda – Antonio Morais, from Paraíso neighborhood in Cacuaco, one of Luanda’s nine municipalities, has witnessed friends and neighbours succumb to cholera. So, when Morais heard about an oral cholera vaccination campaign as part of Angola’s efforts to step up outbreak control, he was first in line to receive a vaccine. “I feel relieved, as I know that vaccines save lives,” he says.

WHO Supports Efforts on the Ground in Response to Cholera in Angola

Luanda, Angola, 25 January 2025 – The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Angola’s health authorities, is intensifying efforts on the ground to combat the cholera outbreak that has affected the country since 7 January 2025. With 1,016 reported cases and 43 deaths to date, WHO teams are actively supporting surveillance, case management, testing, and community-level interventions.

WHO Representative Visits Cholera Hotspot in Luanda with Minister of Health

Luanda, Angola – Dr Zabulon Yoti, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Angola, accompanied by a team of WHO staff, joined the Minister of Health today for a field visit to the cholera outbreak hotspot in Cacuaco Municipality. They evaluated the Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs) set up to manage the crisis and assessed the response at the community level. The government has shown commendable leadership in providing clean water to affected communities, a crucial step in curbing the spread of cholera.

WHO Participates in High-Level Meeting on Cholera Outbreak in Angola

Luanda - On 11 January 2025, WHO took part in a high-level meeting convened by the Minister of Health at the General Hospital of Cacuaco to address Angola’s cholera. WHO commended the Governments actions to effectively coordinate a multisector team, timely detect and respond to the outbreak including promptly sharing information with all relevant authorities in compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).