More than a million people were vaccinated in the three most affected governorates of cholera outbreaks in Angola during a 5 -day campaign last week in the country in Central Africa.
The initiative, which took place between the third and seventh of February, was aimed at completing the ongoing general health measures to stop the spread of the infectious disease, according to APA.
Health facilities and public places such as churches and schools were used as vaccination centers, while mobile medical teams visited the vaccinations.
The same source confirmed that the vaccination campaign, which was carried out by the Angolan Ministry of Health with the support of the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank, managed to achieve a vaccination coverage rate of at least 99.5% of the targeted population.
“In this battle against cholera, we realize the role of our partners in development, and we thank them for their cooperative and fixed support, including the World Health Organization, partners and other friends, who were strong allies in combating this disease,” said Angolan Health Minister Silvia Lutocota.
About two thousand teams, including health professionals and community volunteers, were deployed as part of the campaign. In total, more than 6400 people participated in the operation.
The World Health Organization has supported the Angolan government in buying 978,000 doses of vaccine through the International Group for Coordination of Vaccines.
Oral cholera vaccines form an additional cholera tool, complement other measures such as using clean water, good hygiene, monitoring and early treatment.
Until February 11, 3047 cases and 180 deaths were reported in 8 provinces, with a death rate of 3.4%.
In the event of a cholera epidemic, the total death rate of less than 1% is a generally acceptable threshold.
According to the Angolan Ministry of Health, “the ages of the injured range from two years and 100 years,” where nearly half of them live in Luanda.
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that is spread through food and water contaminated with the “cholera” bacteria, which is often of Brazie origin. The infection causes severe, vomiting and muscle cramps. Cholera can lead to death within hours if left without treatment.