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A Report on the Investigation into Recurrent Epidemics of Pellagra in Kuito, Angola (2002)
From 1999 to 2002, there were reports of recurring outbreaks of pellagra in Bie province, Angola. The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Food for Peace/Emergency Programs requested FANTA to undertake a field study of the pellagra situation in Bie province (Kuito) to identify determinants of pellagra and to make recommendations for appropriate interventions. This report presents the key findings of this field study and recommendations for international donors and their implementing partners. The recommendations included revising ration levels, market interventions, seed diversity, small animal production, milling and fortifying imported maize, and addressing the shortage of land.
The prevalence of pellagra in Bie province was higher than thought. There was also an increase in kwashiorkor. Analysis revealed that sharply rising mortality rates were related to nutritional deficiencies. However, these deficiencies were not reflected in the rates of wasting, indicating an urgent need to address the quality of diet in the Kuito area.
