11 January 2008
Maputo — Since the start of the current cholera outbreak in Mozambique in October, 12 people have died from the disease, according to Health Ministry statistics cited in Friday's issue of the independent newssheet "Mediafax".
The first cholera case was diagnosed in Maputo on 8 October. By Thursday morning, the number of diagnosed cases stood at 1,396.
Almost half of these cases - 673 - occurred in Maputo city. Seven of these patients died. Maputo province reported 346 cases and three deaths. The other areas affected were Cabo Delgado in the far north (138 cases and one death), and the central province of Sofala (133 cases and one death).
Although a large number of cholera victims are still received medical care at the cholera treatment centre set up in the grounds of the Mavalane General Hospital in Maputo, the health authorities regard the situation as under control.
Cholera is endemic in Mozambique, and there are outbreaks, particularly in urban areas, almost every rainy season. The number of cases, however, does seem to be declining. Thus in 2006, 5,431 cases were diagnosed, of whom 24 died. This compares with 20,000 cases and 117 deaths in 2004 (and 15,000 cases and 113 deaths in 2003).
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