28 November 2007
Maputo — Four people have died, out of the 222 cases of cholera diagnosed in Maputo city and province, since the current outbreak began in October, according to Mozambican Health Minister Ivo Garrido.
Speaking to representatives of civil society organisations in Maputo on Wednesday, Garrido said the current situation was under control - but this might change unless speedy measures were taken against the spread of the disease.
"If we do not remain on maximum alert, then the number of cases may increase, and we may lose many more lives", warned Garrido.
He stressed that all people suffering from severe diarrhoea and vomiting, the main symptoms of cholera, should be taken urgently to the nearest health post.
He called for basic measures of food hygiene - particularly that raw fruit and vegetables should only be eaten after they have been properly washed, preferably in water treated with a disinfectant.
Garrido pointed out that in the first ten years after Mozambican independence in 1975, there were no cholera outbreaks, even though living standards were lower than they are now. He attributed this success to the post-independence health education campaigns, to the regular days of voluntary cleaning of city neighbourhoods, and to the close links then between the Health Ministry and local communities.
But with the passage of time the close ties between health staff and communities declined, and increased population put huge stresses on the city water and sanitation systems. There were now cases of urban neighbourhoods with one latrine for more than 20 households.
Garrido wanted the ties between his ministry and city neighbourhoods rebuilt. Each neighbourhood should have a health official responsible for those ties, he said. Such people would receive training courses, and the Ministry would appoint one of its staff to liaise with each neighbourhood.
"At this stage, when cholera is spreading through the neighbourhoods, preventive activities are fundamental, if we are to save lives", stressed the Minister. "The neighbourhood secretaries and the health officials must every day transmit messages on improving individual and collective hygiene".
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