Malawi has received 1.4 million oral cholera vaccines from the International Coordinating Group (ICG) with support from the Global Alliance on Vaccines (Gavi) to avert the further spread of the outbreak.

World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement on Friday the vaccines will help halt the further spread of the outbreak at a time when Malawi has faced Tropical Cyclone Freddy which has potential to accelerate the outbreak.

Malawi Broadcasting Corporation journalist Chikondi Phikiso receives her
dose during the launch of the campaign

WHO said with the cyclone having damaged sanitation facilities, communities have been put at risk of contracting waterborne diseases, including cholera.

The statement quotes WHO country representative in Malawi Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo as having said disruption in the sanitation systems threaten progress made in controlling the cholera outbreak as evident in a downward trend in recent weeks.

She said: “As WHO, in collaboration with Unicef [United Nations Children’s Fund] and other partners, we are supporting the Ministry of Health to safeguard the gains we have acquired in responding to the current cholera outbreak with oral cholera vaccination as an important intervention.”

Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda is also quoted in the statement as having said the oral cholera vaccines are critical in controlling the outbreak.

She said: “The ministry is working diligently with WHO and other partners to minimise the suffering of people affected by the cyclone and to restore health system in disaster struck areas.

“The oral cholera vaccination that Malawi has received is a critical additional tool that will reinforce cholera control strategies in vulnerable communities.”

WHO and other partners have been supporting Ministry of Health’s cholera response efforts by deploying surge staff, providing essential cholera supplies, and revamping cholera treatment facilities.

The efforts are said to have enhanced the quality of cholera case management and outbreaks, thereby reducing mortality.

The cholera outbreak, which President Lazarus Chakwera declared as a public emergency on December 8 2022, is the largest reported in Malawi in the past 10 years.

The first case was diagnosed in Machinga in March 2022 and WHO states that the most affected age groups are between 21 and 30.

Statistics from the Public Health Institute of Malawi show that as of Saturday, 1 736 people had succumbed to the outbreak while 110 were in treatment units.

Cumulatively, 57 786 confirmed cases were reported as of Saturday.

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