Cholera in Maputo: Two deaths and more than 200 cases of diarrhea

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Cholera in Maputo: Two deaths and more than 200 cases of diarrhea

10:23 CAT | 13 Mar 2017

O País

Although cholera has not been seen in the Mozambican capital since 2010, two people have died and another 200 cases of the disease have been diagnosed in Maputo since 7 March.

Cases have occurred four Maputo’s seven districts – Ka Maxaquene, Ka Lhamanculo, Ka Mubukuane and Ka Mavota. Luís Cabral is worst hit, with more than 50 of the 200 cases, and the Cholera Treatment Center of Mavalane’s general hospital has had to be reopened to receive patients. By Wednesday, it had 27 patients under treatment.

The resurgence of cholera is due in part to the water crisis in Maputo and Matola causing people to resort to water sources that are not suitable for consumption.

“We have to treat the water, always wash our hands and eliminate puddles. If we all take these measures, we can return to the situation of not reporting cases of cholera since 2010,” Maputo mayor David Simango said at a meeting in the Chamanculo neighbourhood.

“I would like to urge neighbourhoods to continue investing in individual and collective hygiene and take note of the lessons that are transmitted to us in different ways, especially regarding water, made worse by the fact that Maputo is experiencing a crisis of this precious liquid,” Simango said.

All is not bleak in the capital, though. Five blocks in Chamanculo “C” have benefited from street widening in recent weeks, gaining space for children in the neighborhood to play safely. The improvements are part of the capital’s neighbourhood redevelopment programme.

Source: O País