The Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindao, has announced the end of the cholera outbreak in Grootfontein and Opuwo. Dr Luvindao said the last two confirmed cholera cases were reported on 22 March in the Opuwo district.

She said the outbreak was contained through a coordinated partnership between government and key development partners: the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Robert Koch Institute and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control. 

The minister added that a combined commitment of technical expertise, financial resources and in-kind support ensured a swift and effective response to the outbreak. She also acknowledged the critical contributions of the regional councils and local authorities, whose multi-sectoral collaboration was instrumental.

Dr Luvindao said that while the current outbreak has been contained, the risk of resurgence remains and requires vigilance from everyone. She urged communities to maintain high standards of hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and clean running water, especially before handling food and after using the toilet.

Luvindao said that, as of April, 282 suspected cholera cases were reported, of which 82 were confirmed. The confirmed cases were 52 from the Grootfontein district, and 30 were from the Opuwo district. One person died during the outbreak in Opuwo.