HQ Team
February 25, 2023: There has been an “exponential” growth in an outbreak of cholera in Mozambique since December, putting pressure on the country’s weak health system, according to the WHO.
The first case of cholera in the current outbreak was reported to the Ministry of Health and WHO from the Lago district in Niassa province on September 14 2022.
As of February 19 2023, a cumulative total of 5,237 suspected cases and 37 deaths have been reported in 29 districts from six out of 11 provinces.
Heavy rainfall in the first weeks of February threatens to further worsen the situation, according to the WHO.
All six provinces currently affected by cholera are flood-prone areas. As the rainy season continues, it is anticipated that more districts will be affected.
First in five years
Of the 182 cases tested, 99 (54%) were confirmed positive. With this outbreak, cholera has affected many districts that “had not reported any cases in over five years and where, as a result, the response capacity is limited.”
The WHO stated that there needs to be adequate access to safe drinking water for the population already challenged with poor hygiene and sanitation.
Mozambique is one of many countries in the region facing a cholera outbreak. Neighbouring Malawi is facing the deadliest cholera outbreak in its history.
Considering the frequency of cross-border movement and the history of the cross-border spread of cholera during this outbreak, WHO believes the risk of further disease spread is very high at the national and regional levels.
During the last 30 days, the districts reporting cholera and Acute Watery Diarrhoea are increasing, with three new provinces reporting confirmed cholera.
Higher fatality rate
Before the current outbreak, cholera outbreaks in eight districts in three provinces during the first half of 2022 were declared over.
The current cholera outbreak in Mozambique covers a wider geographic area and has a higher fatality rate than the previous outbreak.
Most affected districts, especially Niassa province, had not reported cholera cases for over five years. Many health professionals do not have experience in responding to a cholera outbreak.
Weak surveillance with late reporting and inadequate WASH conditions (lack of access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation and hygiene practices) continue to pose a risk.
A weak health system and an exhausted workforce responding to multiple emergencies are other threats to continued disease progression, as do the ongoing heavy rains of the season, according to the WHO.
