Cholera vaccination to reach more than 100,000 people in central Mozambique

The cholera vaccination campaign that began this Monday in Mozambique is expected to cover 109,129 people in the Sofala province in central Mozambique, authorities announced.

“Today we are witnessing the launch of another campaign against cholera and we hope that vaccines reach everyone and we collaborate to end this disease in our communities,” said Maria Almia, administrator of the Maringe district in Sofala, during the launch . campaign in this province in central Mozambique.

The Maringue region is among those hit by cholera in the province, with at least 500 people now diagnosed with acute diarrhea as the country endures the rainy season.

“The number of new cases is growing every day and two deaths have already been recorded. [na província]one in Kaya and the other in Maringa,” he said.

Mozambican health authorities want to reach more than 2.2 million people with a cholera vaccination campaign in the country’s nine districts hardest hit by the current outbreak.

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

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

Last May, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that there would be a global shortage of cholera vaccines by 2025 and that one billion people in 43 countries could be infected with the disease, pointing out that as early as October Mozambique was one of the countries with the highest risk.

Mozambique is considered one of the countries hardest hit by climate change in the world, a situation that is worsening the resilience of infrastructure and services that prevent the disease.