The death toll in the cholera epidemic in Malawi rose to 410. Health Minister Chiponda reported that the number of infections is now close to 14,000. This makes it the worst cholera epidemic in the last decade in the South African country.
The boom began in March. Later, large numbers of residents from the south of the country were forced to flee their homes after heavy rains and flooding caused by several hurricanes. After that, many no longer had access to clean drinking water.
A major concern for the government is the spread of cholera mainly during the rainy season when it is more difficult to sterilize food and water supplies. This season has just started and probably many more infections are yet to come.
In principle, cholera can be cured, but in a poor country like Malawi, cholera is still problematic because the country suffers from a lack of essential medical supplies such as drugs or needles for IVs.
There is a vaccine against the disease, but it only works for two years. The vaccine is also under-supplied worldwide. Therefore, while only one vaccine is available for many Malawians, two vaccines are needed for optimum effectiveness. President Chakwera has now asked the country’s “Covid Task Force” to help fight the cholera epidemic.
Source: NOS
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
