Another 500 people contracted cholera and five died in less than a week in Mozambique

Mozambican health authorities have recorded five more deaths from cholera across the country in less than a week and half a thousand new cases, according to official data from the Ministry of Health.

According to the latest disease progression bulletin prepared by the National Directorate of Public Health and with data up to January 7, a total of 8,793 cholera cases have been reported in the country since October 1, of which 25 were fatal. plus five deaths compared to January 2, when there were still 8,266 cases reported.

The mortality rate caused by this outbreak rose in five days from 0.2% to 0.3%, according to the bulletin, which stated that at least 26 areas with active cholera cases and one (Mokuba, Zambezia) are at “high risk” “

The province worst hit by the current wave of cholera outbreak is Nampula, which has reported a total of 2,814 cases and 12 deaths, followed by Tete with 1,853 cases and six deaths.

This Tuesday will be the second of five days during which the cholera vaccination campaign is taking place in the nine regions of Mozambique hardest hit by the current outbreak, which is expected to affect more than 2.2 million people.

According to the National Directorate of Public Health, the campaign targets populations aged one year and older and will be carried out in the districts of Cuure and Montepuez (Cabo Delgado province), Gila, Gurue and Mocuba (Zambezia). , Magoe, Moatize and Zumbo (Tete) and Maringa (Sofala).

“The country is responding to a resurgence of the outbreak that has been occurring since October 2023,” the National Directorate of Public Health indicates.

“The target population for this intervention is 2,271,136 people, which corresponds to the population living in the most vulnerable areas and the focus of the current outbreak,” the same information says.

He adds that “to ensure that the campaign runs smoothly and the objectives are achieved,” 1,136 teams have been mobilized for this operation, including 7,337 people, including vaccinators, mobilizers, registrars, supervisors, coordinators, data entry officers, logisticians and drivers, among others . .

“Also, about US$1.3 million was mobilized for the campaign. This amount includes funds from the government and cooperation partners,” he further admits.

The implementation of the campaign involves vaccination at stationary posts in medical institutions and the use of mobile teams in predetermined places with the highest concentration of population, such as markets, football fields, meeting places, headquarters of administrative posts, populated areas and others.

“And, when warranted, a door-to-door strategy will be adopted,” says the National Directorate of Public Health, adding that “to avoid duplication or disruption and to ensure better post-campaign evaluation,” vaccinated people will receive a card “as proof of vaccination and that they must preserve it.”