By Dominic Chirwa
Malawi has received a consignment of 2.9 million doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine which is aimed at complimenting government’s efforts to contain the outbreak.
This comes as statistics show that the country has thus far recorded a cumulative 6,868 cholera cases and 203 cholera deaths since the confirmation of the first case in March, 2022.
Meanwhile 6,398 people have recovered from the disease and 267 were in the treatment camps.
In a statement, Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, says doses received will be used in 14 districts with high numbers of cholera cases namely; Karonga, Rumphi, Mzimba North, Mzimba South, Likoma, Nkhatabay, Chitipa, Lilongwe, Salima, Nkhotakota, Kasungu, Nsanje, Zomba, and Blantyre.
She says the campaign will target 2.9 million Malawianscomprising adults and children aged one year and above living in highly
affected districts.
The minister adds that her Ministry will still prioritize the provision of safe water and sanitation, and positive hygiene behaviour practices, which are critical to prevent and control the transmission of cholera.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
The disease remains a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.
