Since October 1, Mozambique has had more than 4,300 infected and ten deaths from cholera

Mozambican health authorities have confirmed 4,339 cases of cholera in four provinces in the north and center of the country since October 1, with ten deaths, according to official data.

The most recent disease progression bulletin prepared by the National Directorate of Public Health, containing data up to November 20, confirms one death in the previous 24 hours, with the number of cholera outbreak cases in Mozambique approaching 40,000 since November 14. 2022, and 151 deaths.

In daily bulletins, health authorities only started counting data from October 1, 2023, with the province of Nampula leading with 1,792 cases causing three deaths, followed by Tete with 1,115 cases causing six deaths, Zambezia with 937 deaths. cases and Cabo Delgado, where there are 495 infected and one death.

Currently, eight areas of the country are considered at risk due to local cholera outbreaks.

The evolution of these outbreaks was reviewed by the Council of Ministers at its regular meeting held on Tuesday in Maputo, where the body’s representative Ludovina Bernardo recalled that the mortality rate currently stands at 0.2% of cases and called for hygiene measures to be taken. population.

“So far the impact assessment is positive, so there has not yet been a need to declare an emergency,” added Ludovina Bernardo following the meeting of the Council of Ministers.

The Mozambican government announced on November 7 that it was sending teams to the country’s four cholera-affected provinces to monitor the situation and find solutions to stop the disease, a day after outbreaks were announced in some areas.

Crews went to Nampula and Cabo Delgado (in the north of the country), as well as Zambezia and Tete (in the center), provinces that “are showing signs of needing a more acute approach to outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhea” associated with cholera, he said at the height of government.

Cholera is a disease that causes severe diarrhea, which is treatable but can lead to death from dehydration if not treated promptly.

The disease is largely caused by eating contaminated food and water, mainly due to the lack of sanitation facilities.

In May, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that there would be a global shortage of cholera vaccines by 2025 and that the disease could affect one billion people in 43 countries.

In October, WHO identified Mozambique as one of the countries most at risk.