Cholera death toll rises as over 180 die

The Malawian health ministry announced on Monday that the number of deaths from cholera has risen to 183 at the end of October from 110 at the beginning of the month.

Malawi’s health ministry attributed the deaths to poor food hygiene among the communities, lack of safe water and a lack of and improper use of toilets.

On it official facebook page, the ministry said “A total of 27 Districts have reported Cholera cases since the confirmation of the first case this year in March in Machinga District. The outbreak has been controlled in four Districts.

In the last 14 days, the disease has been reported in 23 Districts, namely Blantyre, Nkhata Bay, Chikwawa, Nkhotakota, Rumphi, Mzimba North, Mwanza, Karonga, Balaka, Likoma, Neno, Mangochi, Lilongwe, Machinga, Ntchisi, Mulanje, Salima, Ntcheu, Phalombe, Kasungu, Thyolo, Chitipa and Dowa.”

The statement reads that “Most of the deaths occurred while in the communities or at health facilities after presenting at the facilities late for treatment. The major factors associated with the cholera outbreak in the communities are poor food hygiene, lack of safe water and low latrines coverage and usage.”

Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda said patients were not seeking treatment for religious reasons saying “It is sad to note that some cholera patients are not seeking care early due to religious beliefs, and this is making the disease to spread further resulting in unnecessary loss of life in the process. Let me appeal to the faith community to encourage their members that if anyone in the community has signs and symptoms of cholera they should seek medical care immediately.”