Three more cholera deaths in northern Mozambique in three weeks

Mozambican health authorities have recorded 16,012 cases of cholera since October, leading to three more deaths in three weeks in Nampula province, according to official data that Lusa had access to this Saturday.

According to the latest disease progression report prepared by the Ministry of Health and using data from October 1, 2023, the start of the current outbreak, to May 16, 2024, this mortality rate remains at 0.2%.

In the three weeks since 25 April, the date of the last report, 375 cases of cholera have been reported in Mozambique, resulting in three deaths, all in Nampula, bringing the total number of deaths since the start of the current outbreak to 36.

The report added that of the cumulative number, 5,506 cases were reported in Nampula province with 15 deaths, which has been a hotspot for the past three weeks, followed by 2,873 in Tete with 10 deaths and 2,431 in Cabo. Delgado, one dead.

There are currently active outbreaks in several areas of Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Tete, Zambezia, Sofala, Manica and Maputo, and as of May 16, 34 cholera patients had been hospitalized in health facilities across the country.

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 Ilha de Mozambique sank on April 7, killing them. 55 children, 34 women and nine men.

According to Mozambican maritime authorities, the fishing boat carrying 130 people did not have a permit to carry passengers and the people were fleeing a suspected cholera outbreak heading to the island of Mozambique, with the sinking occurring about 100 meters from the vessel. coast.

Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi visited the Lunga administrative post to console the families, acknowledging that the sinking was the result of “misinformation perpetrated by people with dark interests.”

“Don’t allow rumors,” Filipe Nyusi said while speaking 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.