Mozambique registers cases of cholera after floods

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique registers cases of cholera after floods

2:35 CAT | 20 Apr 2022

FILE -Mozambican women wash their belongings at the Industrial Institute of Tete after the passage of Tropical Storm Ana on January 27, 2022. The storm hit the country directly from Monday and Wednesday, but despite having already weakened and moved on to other countries (Zimbabwe and Zambia), heavy rains fed the flow of all rivers in central and northern Mozambique, which continue to cause flooding. [File photo: André Catueira/Lusa]

Mozambican authorities suspect that the cases are linked to the consumption of water made unsafe by flooding. Several patients are already hospitalised, and cholera treatment centres have been opened.

Mozambican authorities on Tuesday (19-04) announced the registration of three cases of cholera suspected to be linked to the consumption of impure water after floods in the Zambezi valley, in the centre of the country

The cases are the first of their kind to be confirmed after an outbreak of diarrheal diseases in Caia and Maringue, Sofala province, said Hassane Abdalá, chief physician of health services in the region.

The situation is associated with the flooding of the Zambezi River, following intense rainfall caused, first, by Storm Ana in January, and by Cyclone Gombe in March.

According to the same source, several patients are already hospitalised, and cholera treatment centres have been opened to screen for suspected cases.

Work is also underway to identify possible points of contamination.

Cholera is a disease mainly caused by the ingestion of food and water contaminated by poor sanitation. It causes severe diarrhoea, which is treatable but can lead to death from dehydration if left unattended.

Source: Lusa