As the country runs out of vaccines, a cholera outbreak in Malawi has killed over 1,000 people, according to the Health Ministry.
The southern African nation has been battling its worst cholera outbreak on record, with more than 30,600 people infected since the first cases were reported last year.
In November, it received almost three million doses of oral cholera vaccine from the United Nations to step up its immunization campaign, but case numbers continue to rise.
“We have used all the vaccines we had,” Health Ministry spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe told AFP.
“The fact that there is only one cholera vaccine manufacturer worldwide makes it difficult to acquire the life-saving drug,” said Chikumbe. “We are competing for the same vaccine with everyone else.”
The death toll reached 1,002 on Tuesday, breaching a grim milestone and the previously recorded largest outbreak, which killed 968 people between 2001 and 2002, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Cholera, which causes diarrhea and vomiting, is contracted from a bacterium that is generally transmitted through contaminated food or water.
“What we need is high compliance to hygiene and sanitation,” said Chikumbe.
Director of the non-profit Malawi Health Equity Network, George Jobe, blamed myths and misinformation spreading online for the dire situation.
“Most people don’t believe we have cholera,” he told AFP.
Critics say the outbreak caught authorities off-guard when it hit almost 12 months ago.
Preventive Health Services chief Storm Kabuluzi said that the government and aid groups were working to provide safe water and hand washing facilities.
But he blamed some social sections for fuelling the disease’s spread.
“We have some religions that do not permit their members to go to the hospital,” when ill, he said.
In September, the WHO warned that after years of decline, the planet was witnessing a “worrying upsurge” in cholera outbreaks, with climate change adding to traditional triggers such as poverty and conflict.
Worldwide, the disease affects between 1.3 million and four million people each year, causing up to 143,000 deaths.
-All Rights Reserved-
Permission to use any material, including text, still photograph, audio and video from this site is granted subject to permission being formally sought and, if granted, appropriate credit must duly be given to The News Room as the source.
Stay connected, get exclusive updates, and be the first to know about all the exciting things happening. Whether you’re looking for insights, tips, or just want to be part of an amazing community, our WhatsApp group is the place to be!
👉 Don’t miss out. Click the link and be part of something awesome! 🚀