Luanda - President João Lourenço was informed on Monday in Luanda of the measures taken by the Ministry of Health to eliminate cholera cases in three provinces of Angola.

As of Monday, at least 15 people have died of the 170 cases recorded in the provinces of Luanda, Bengo and Icolo e Bengo since the first cases were confirmed on January 7.

The information was disclosed by the Minister of Health, Sílvia Lutucuta, during a meeting with the Head of State, in the presence of several members of the executive branch and health officials.

The cholera contingency and control plan has been activated in the three provinces considered at risk, the minister said.

The Ministry of Health has been working to strengthen epidemiological and laboratory surveillance, mobilization, health promotion communication and the improvement of drinking water supply.

Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by certain strains of Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Symptoms can vary from none to moderate to severe.

The classic symptom of the disease is a large amount of watery diarrhea lasting several days, as well as vomiting and muscle cramps. AFL/VIC/DAN/AMP