Africa-Press – Mozambique. Around 400 people in the province of Tete have contracted malaria this year, and 16 have died from the disease. The number of reported cases has increased by 50% compared to the same period last year, when five malaria deaths were recorded.
Malaria continues to be one of the biggest burdens on provincial health units. According to health authorities, up until May 11 of this year, the number of cases of the disease and hospitalized patients in Tete significantly increased compared to last year. Lack of mosquito nets and late arrival at health centres are cited as causes.
The head of the Public Health Department, Hélder Dombole, explains that Tete (city) has reported the most deaths in the first sixteen week of this years, and most of them are children.
He says, however, that awareness-raising actions were underway to change behaviour in the communities affected, especially targeting pregnant women.
The public health official also announced the increase in the number of positive cases of cholera in the district of Changara, with seven new cases were diagnosed in Mazoe locality.
In the case of cholera, the low coverage of safe drinking water supply is considered to be the main cause.
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