Angola: Cunene Steps Up Community Surveillance to Accelerate the Eradication of Guinea Worm

Angola continues to intensify its efforts to interrupt the transmission of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease), focusing on community surveillance, coordination among partners, and promoting sustainable access to safe drinking water.

A joint mission by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Technical Committee for the Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication (CTNCED), The Carter Center, and the Cunene Provincial Health Office assessed the progress made in the province and defined strategic priorities to support the national goal of certifying Angola as a disease-free country by 2030.

During visits to the municipalities of Humbe and Cuanhama, the teams assessed the functioning of community surveillance, observed environmental conditions and the state of water sources, and met with local leaders and residents to emphasize the importance of early detection, including the timely reporting of rumors, infections, and suspected cases.

The mission helped strengthen coordination among national, provincial, and municipal levels, promoting a more integrated and efficient response. This collaborative effort made it possible to identify operational needs, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and coordinate interventions to ensure the continuity of surveillance in the most vulnerable communities.

“Community-based surveillance remains the primary tool for preventing the reemergence of the disease and ensuring the interruption of its transmission. The commitment demonstrated by communities, local authorities, and partners is essential for Angola to achieve certification of dracunculiasis eradication,” stated Dr. Nzuzi Katondi, head of the WHO’s dracunculiasis eradication program in Angola.

Among the mission’s key findings was the strengthening of coordination among partners involved in the operational transition of activities previously supported by the WHO to The Carter Center. This transition has involved strengthening local technical teams, establishing municipal focal points, and expanding the community surveillance network in priority areas of the province.

Discussions held during the mission also highlighted the importance of maintaining high levels of community awareness and trust in the surveillance system. In this regard, strategies were analyzed to improve the dissemination of reward mechanisms for reporting suspected cases, as well as measures aimed at ensuring the proper management of resources used in disease prevention and increasing local operational capacity.

The partners also emphasized that the elimination of dracunculiasis depends not only on active surveillance but also on expanding access to safe drinking water sources and other interventions recommended by the WHO. Ensuring that communities have access to sustainable water supply alternatives remains essential to preventing disease transmission and protecting public health.

At the conclusion of the mission, health authorities and partners reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining rigorous surveillance, deepening community engagement, and consolidating the progress achieved in recent years. Thanks to strong collaboration between the government, communities, and technical partners, Angola is firmly committed to permanently interrupting the transmission of Guinea worm and obtaining certification of the disease’s eradication.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.