Namibia has confirmed its first case of cholera in ten years, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced on Thursday, describing the development as a significant warning for the country’s health authorities.
The case involved a 55-year-old woman from the Kunene region in the northwest of the country. She exhibited symptoms of diarrhoea but has since recovered and been discharged from hospital, according to Namibia’s health ministry. Despite the patient having no recent travel history outside Namibia, the detection of cholera in the region has prompted officials to strengthen response measures and address underlying factors contributing to its spread.
Jean Kaseya, head of Africa CDC, highlighted the proximity of Kunene to Angola as a key factor in the case’s emergence. Since January, Angola has been battling a cholera outbreak that has infected 6,564 people and resulted in 237 fatalities. However, the number of cases in Angola has begun to decline, and authorities are actively working to contain the outbreak.
To support Angola’s response, Africa CDC has dispatched 2,000 oral cholera vaccine doses for healthcare workers, though additional resources will be needed to expand immunisation efforts. Cholera, caused by bacteria transmitted through contaminated food and water, can be fatal within hours if left untreated. While some infections result in mild or no symptoms, young children remain particularly vulnerable. Preventative measures, including access to clean water, sanitation, and vaccination, are crucial in controlling its spread.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 12% decrease in cholera cases across Africa in 2024 compared to the previous year, although fatalities rose by 3.1%. The continent recorded the highest number of cases and deaths globally in January, underscoring the ongoing public health challenge posed by the disease.
