Two cholera deaths and 1,100 infections in less than two weeks in Mozambique

In less than two weeks, Mozambican health authorities have confirmed 1,100 new cases of cholera in four northern and central provinces, leading to two deaths, according to official data that Lusa accessed this Monday.

The most recent disease progression bulletin prepared by the National Public Health Directorate, covering data up to December 3, confirms 12 cholera deaths, up from 10 in the previous report on November 20 (two deaths reported in Nampula). and Zambezia) and 5,452 cases compared to 4,339 on the same previous date, an increase of 1,113 cases.

Since the start of the current cholera outbreak in Mozambique on September 14, 2022, the country has reported nearly 40,000 cases and 153 deaths.

In bulletins on the progression of the disease, health authorities only started counting data from October 1, 2023, with the province of Nampula leading with 2,056 cases resulting in four deaths, followed by Tete with 1,313 cases resulting in six deaths, Zambezia with 1,142 cases infections and one death and Cabo Delgado with 743 infections and one death.

Currently, about a dozen areas in the north and center of the country are considered at risk from local cholera outbreaks.

The evolution of these outbreaks was reviewed by the Council of Ministers at its regular meeting on November 21 in Maputo, where the body’s representative Ludovina Bernardo recalled that the mortality rate currently stands at 0.2% (which remains for now) of cases, and called for the population to take hygiene measures.

“So far the impact assessment is positive, so there is no need to declare an emergency yet,” added Ludovina Bernardo at the end of the meeting.

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 meeting.

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.