Namibia Reports Cholera Flare-Up in Kunene

(MENAFN) Namibia has officially announced a cholera outbreak in the country’s northwestern Kunene region following laboratory confirmation of Vibrio cholerae O1—the bacterial strain known for driving previous cholera epidemics, a top health official revealed on Thursday.

During a press conference held in Windhoek, Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao reported that eight suspected cases have been identified in Opuwo District.
Alarmingly, six of those—one of which was fatal—came from a single household.

The World Health Organization mandates that even one verified local transmission is enough to declare a cholera outbreak.

"The confirmation of these cases allows us to tailor our response efforts to effectively target the specific strain affecting the household and potentially the surrounding communities," Luvindao stated.

As of June 18, five suspected patients remain in stable condition under isolation at Opuwo District Hospital. Luvindao added that initial tests on two other individuals showed negative results for the disease.

In response, the Ministry of Health has activated its incident management system to coordinate a broad, cross-sector strategy. Rapid response units have already been mobilized to contain and manage the spread.

Efforts are now focused on enhancing surveillance capabilities and bolstering lab testing, while authorities ramp up health awareness drives across affected communities.

Additionally, the government has intensified water treatment via chlorination and established oral rehydration stations and specialized treatment centers to manage both new and existing cases, the minister noted.

Luvindao emphasized the importance of personal and community hygiene, advising the public to rely on clean water and promptly seek care if experiencing symptoms like severe diarrhea or vomiting.

"Cholera is not just a health issue. It also points to underlying challenges in access to clean water and sanitation," she said, urging collaboration from public institutions, NGOs, and local leaders to improve access to safe drinking water.

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