The information was provided this Thursday, in the province of Cunene, by the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Angola, Humphrey Karamagi, noting that Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Cameroon also register the illness.
Speaking during a working meeting with the vice-governor of Cunene for Infrastructure and Technical Services, the head of the WHO signaled that the focus of Guinea worm in Angola is the province of Cunene, in the south of the country, guaranteeing actions to eradicate the disease.
"For Guinea worm, the focus in Angola is right here in Cunene and we will work together until we eradicate this disease so that Angola is free from this disease", said the WHO representative.
According to the WHO, the province of Cunene, severely ravaged by drought and water scarcity, has become the central nucleus of the Guinea Worm, established as endemic since July 2020, with recorded cases of human infections in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Furthermore, notes the World Health Organization, Angola has recorded Guinea Worm infection in dogs since 2019.
Mavitidi Sebastião, National Officer of the WHO Guinea Worm Program in Angola, reported that, since 2018 to date, the country has recorded the occurrence of 32 cases (mostly in animals) and 53 suspected cases awaiting laboratory confirmation.
The WHO states that it is supporting the Government with community-based surveillance, case containment, vector control, through water treatment with larvicide, proactive tethering of domestic animals and others.
According to the WHO, despite these measures, there has been an "unforeseen increase" in cases of Guinea Worm in the province of Cunene since the beginning of 2023.
To respond to the situation, a WHO delegation, led by Humphrey Karamagi, is in Cunene to work with local authorities and partners to redefine actions to examine, evaluate and design a strategy to combat the disease.
The delegation carries out various activities and meetings in the municipality of Cuanhama and on Friday it travels to the municipality of Namacunde to contact communities affected by the disease.
Guinea worm is a parasitic disease caused by the 'dracunculus medinensis', a long white worm like a thread that measures one to two meters in length.
The disease is transmitted by ingesting water (lakes, ponds, open wells) contaminated by water infected with the parasite larvae.
