Mozambique: Authorities declare cholera outbreak in Marromeu, Sofala province

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Mozambique: Authorities declare cholera outbreak in Marromeu, Sofala province

11:18 CAT | 16 Jun 2025

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: MSF]

Mozambican health authorities have recorded 32 cases of cholera, causing three deaths, in just over two weeks, in an outbreak in Marromeu, Sofala, in the centre of the country, it was announced on Friday.

“A total of 32 people have been diagnosed with the disease and admitted to the two largest health units in the district, 28 in the rural hospital of Marromeu and another four in the health unit of Chido,” the head of Sofala Public Health department, Edgar Meque, told reporters.

In the case of Marromeu, the authorities declared the existence of an outbreak on the basis of several cases of the disease detected since the end of May.

“Based on the clinical and epidemiological criteria, we have decided to declare a cholera outbreak in Marromeu district. Last week there was an increase in supplies of consumables and this week the normal distribution of medicines is taking place,” Edgar Meque said.

Locally, work is already underway to prevent and combat the spread of the disease, including the distribution of water purifiers.

“Based on the investigations and the teams working there, we have noticed that there is a major deficit in the water supply, as there are wells and fountains in poor condition and this could be one of the reasons for the outbreak of the disease,” Meque added.

The cholera outbreak in Mozambique has caused almost 3,900 infections and 59 deaths in just over seven months, mainly affecting the northern province of Nampula, according to the report relayed by Lusa at the beginning of the month.

According to the bulletin from the National Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, with data up to June 4, the cholera outbreak has so far caused 3,869 infections since October 17, of which 3,405 were in the province of Nampula, with 40 deaths, followed by Zambézia, in the centre of the country, with 352 cases and 12 deaths.

In just over seven months, the record also indicated 89 infections and six deaths in Tete province, and 23 cases, which caused one death, in Manica province, both in the centre of the country.

According to the bulletin, there were active cholera outbreaks in districts of those four provinces. The outbreak recorded a fatality rate of 1.5%, with 45 of the 59 deaths recorded in communities, outside health units.

The cholera outbreak in Nampula province (Mogovolas district) was declared on October 17, 2024.

Source: Lusa