Mozambican health authorities recorded 75 new cases of cholera last week, leading to one more death, according to official data Lusa accessed on Tuesday.
According to the latest disease development report prepared by the Ministry of Health and taking into account data from October 1, 2023, the beginning of the current outbreak, until June 9, there are a total of 16,360 infections and 38 deaths, with the mortality rate remaining at 0.2%.
The previous report, with data up to June 3, showed 16,285 cases and 37 deaths.
Of the current cumulative number, 5,630 cases were reported in Nampula province, 15 of which resulted in death, a hotspot in recent weeks, followed by 2,873 in Tete with 10 deaths and 2,431 in Cabo Delgado with one death.
There are currently active outbreaks in the districts of Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Sofala and Maputo, and five cholera patients were admitted to health facilities across the country on June 3, up from 17 the previous week.
On the other hand, according to official data released since October, at least 121 people have died due to waves of misinformation about the cholera outbreak in Mozambique.
Most of the victims, 98 people, died in a single circumstance when a boat leaving the administrative post of Lungo in the Mossuril district of Nampula province and heading to the island of Mozambique sank on April 7, killing 55 children. , 34 women and nine men.
The fishing boat, which was carrying 130 people, did not have a permit to carry passengers and the people were fleeing a suspected cholera outbreak, with the sinking occurring about 100 meters from shore, Mozambican maritime authorities said.
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi visited the Lunga administrative post to console the families, saying the sinking was the result of “misinformation perpetrated by people with dark interests.”
“Don’t allow rumors,” Nyusi said during a conversation with the families of the victims.
Records indicate that there are 23 more people who have died since October 2023 as a result of waves of misinformation on cholera-related topics, Mozambican police commander general Bernardino Rafael said on January 17.
Community leaders and health workers have largely been killed or injured by members of the public on allegations that they brought the disease into the communities.