Africa-Press – Malawi. The Ministry of Health on Thursday March 3, 2022 confirmed the first case of Cholera in the country at Machinga District Hospital. According to the Ministry through its Secretary Charles Mwansambo, the patient is a 57-year-old male from Balaka district who reported to the facility on February 28,2022 and the rigorous investigations were done to establish the fact findings.
This is the first case of Cholera in the current 2021-2022 season. However, to contain the spread of the outbreak, Mwansambo said the government through the Ministry has put in place measures such as intensifying surveillance and contact tracing of the index case.
He said, the government is also conducting Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaigns in all cholera hotspot areas as well as distributing chlorine to the communities for water treatment.
“The public is informed that Cholera is a preventable disease and this can be achieved through drinking safe water, proper use of latrines, washing hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet and before handling food, using safe/treated water all the time, and practicing food hygiene. Cholera prevention is everybody’s business.
All people in the country are being reminded to go to the hospital early if they develop diarrhoea or if they are suffering from any other disease. Medical supplies for Cholera treatment are available in all health facilities in the country,” said Mwansambo.
Cholera is an acute diarrhea infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium called ” Vibrio Cholerae” . The main signs and symptoms are diarrhea with or without vomiting. It affects both children and adults if untreated and it can kill within hours. The disease is more common during rainy season.
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