Malawi's Cholera Cases Still On the Rise Amid Vaccine Drive

Malawi has been plagued by cholera outbreaks for many months and the latest outbreak has seen cases rise from 110 at the beginning of October 2022 to 183 at the start of November, 2022 - this despite the government launching a vaccination campaign to stem the spread. 

In August 2022, the government reported that the outbreak  spread from eight districts in May 2022 to 10 districts. At the time, George Mbotwa, spokesperson for a health office in Nsanje district, which borders Mozambique, said continued incidents of cholera in the district were largely because of the movement of people between the two countries. Cooperation between Malawi and Mozambique saw vaccination sites set up on both sides of the border.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoea infection often picked up by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and is linked to poor sanitation. Symptoms of cholera include watery diarrhoea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, restlessness, or irritability.