Cholera cases in Mozambique rise to 139
BEIRA, Mozambique: The number of confirmed cholera cases in cyclone-ravaged Mozambique climbed sharply to 139 as authorities prepared to roll out a mass vaccination campaign to stem the spread of the deadly disease.
“The total number of cholera cases is now 139,” government health officer Ussein Isse told AFP.
President Filipe Nyusi told a news conference authorities had called off rescue operations for victims of the deadly cyclone which tore through the central parts of the country on March 15. He described it as the ‘worst humanitarian disaster in Mozambique’.
The storm killed at least 468 people and affected 1.85 million. He said 945 rescuers had taken part in the two-week long search and rescue operation.
“We thank all of them. They are heroes,” he said.
World Health Organisation (WHO) official David Wightwick said mass cholera vaccinations would start next week. The country is awaiting the delivery of 900,000 doses of vaccines expected to arrive on Monday.
Officials said the vaccination campaign will be launched from Wednesday to stem the spread of the disease, which thrives in conditions of poor hygiene and causes acute diarrhoea that can be fatal if untreated.
Wightwick told reporters in Beira that nine cholera treatment centres were being set up around the central Sofala province, which bore the brunt of the cyclone.
The UN said in a statement that authoritities have already reported ‘some 2,500 cases of acute watery diarrhoea’.
Experts have warned that the destruction of drinking water sources and lack of sanitation in overcrowded shelters in Mozambique could create breeding grounds for waterborne diseases such as cholera. The vaccinations will protect the tens of thousands of survivors for around three months, he said.
“It buys us some time and it means we will probably have to do a further vaccination,” Wightwick said.
“The first objective is to control the outbreak,” he said, warning that ‘there are other places that remain cut off’. A cholera prevention publicity campaign has also been launched with messages via radio and loudhailers across affected towns and villages.