Namibia has reported its first case of cholera in a decade, marking the end of a long period free from the disease, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on March 13.
The case, involving a 55-year-old woman from the northwest Kunene region, was confirmed after she presented symptoms of diarrhea. Fortunately, the patient has since recovered and was discharged from hospital. Health officials have expressed concern over the confirmation of the case, seeing it as a significant alert for the country’s health system.
Africa CDC Director Jean Kaseya explained that the woman’s location near the border with Angola could help explain the case, as cholera has been rampant in the neighbouring country since January, with an outbreak resulting in 237 deaths from 6,564 reported cases. However, the Namibian patient had not travelled outside the country recently. Despite the decline in cases in Angola, the disease continues to pose a serious threat, and Kaseya highlighted the need for continued vigilance and reinforced responses to prevent further spread.
Cholera, which spreads through contaminated water and food, can be fatal within hours without treatment, particularly affecting young children under five. Access to clean water and sanitation is vital to preventing the spread, alongside vaccination efforts. The World Health Organization reported a 12% decrease in cholera cases across Africa in 2024, although deaths rose slightly by 3.1%. In response to the ongoing outbreak in Angola, the Africa CDC has sent 2,000 doses of oral cholera vaccines to the country and called for additional resources to support vaccination efforts.