The Ministry of Health and Social Services wishes to inform the public about a suspected outbreak of cholera in Opuwo, Kunene Region.

Outstanding test results following the death of a minor in Opuwo Hospital this week are feared to point to cholera.

The executive director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced this in a statement issued a short while ago.

The ministry was alerted on Wednesday by the Kunene Regional Health Directorate about two suspected cholera cases in Opuwo District.

Both cases, Ithindi says, involved two four-year-olds from the same household.

The two children were presented to the Opuwo District Hospital on Monday with acute watery diarrhea and severe dehydration.

One died shortly after he was brought to the hospital.

The other remains admitted in the isolation ward and is recovering.

Samples for cholera investigation were collected from both cases and sent to the laboratory for confirmation.

Preliminary results were received on the 11th and 12th of June 2025, respectively, and both indicated the presence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera.

However, confirmatory results are still being awaited.

Two additional cases involving a 5-year-old and a 35-year-old also presenting with symptoms consistent with cholera were reported from the same household on the 13th of June 2025.

Both these patients are admitted to the isolation ward and are in stable condition.

The family revealed no travel history and no confirmation of receiving visitors from outside the country or from other areas within the country.

There is also no history of attending public gatherings such as funerals, birthday parties, or wedding ceremonies.

According to the protocols of the MoHSS and the World Health Organisation, at least one laboratory-confirmed case of cholera, which is locally acquired, is considered an outbreak and requires that public health measures be instituted to prevent further transmission.

The public is urged not to panic but to cooperate, support, and comply with the control measures put in place to prevent further spread of the infection.

The Health Ministry says anyone presenting signs and symptoms is requested to go to the nearest health facility without delay.