Dzaleka (Malawi): reopening of schools delayed due to increase in cholera cases

Malawi has delayed the reopening of public schools in the country’s two main cities, Blantyre and Lilongwe, in an attempt to slow the upsurge in cholera deaths. The district of Dowa, which hosts the Dzaleka camp, is also affected by the diarrheal epidemic. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The total number of cases of people affected by the cholera epidemic and the number of deaths have accelerated to more than 17 thousand and 595 respectively since the first cases were reported in March 2022, with the death rate rising to 3, 34%, according to the Ministry of Health.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Cholera is an annual problem during the rainy months in Malawi.

From November to March, death cases turn around 100 per year. But the current outbreak is expected to be the worst the country has seen to date, the ministry said.

“Due to the continued increase in the number of cholera cases and deaths in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe, primary and secondary schools in the two cities did not start on January 3 as announced,” said Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda in a statement.

A new reopening date will be announced later, the minister added.

Cholera is spread through contaminated food or water and can cause acute diarrhea. Many people have symptoms, the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.

Hence the Dzaleka camp located in the Dowa district is worried, as cholera cases have already been reported in it.

The refugees are demanding that their camp be placed among the hotspots to receive more medicine and attention. This camp has more than 52,000 refugees, including 11,000 Burundians.