Cholera Concerns in the Wake of January's Floods

With the recent flooding and displacement of thousands in Malawi, many have feared outbreaks of disease such as cholera. Cholera is a highly contagious water-borne bacterial disease which manifests in the form of acute diarrhea, stomach pain, and occasional nausea/vomiting. Though treatable, cholera can become life-threatening in situations where infected persons do not have access to clean water and proper medical care. (InterHealth Worldwide) The first recorded occurrence of cholera in Malawi was in the 1970's and since then Malawi has faced a cholera outbreak nearly every year. Malawi's worst cholera outbreak occurred from October 2001-April 2002, with 33,150 cases and 981 deaths. (WHO)

Cholera outbreaks occur mostly in the rainy season because the flooding and poor sanitation that ensues. According to the CDC:

A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person that contaminates water and/or food. The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water. 

Due to the nature of the spread of cholera many have been weary of a possible outbreak in Malawi after this year’s severe flooding. Since the flooding began in Malawi, 148 cases of cholera, including two deaths have been confirmed by the Ministry of Health.

The majority of the cases of cholera and both deaths occurred in the Nsanje region which was worst hit by the flooding and had been the most difficult region to provide aid to. However, 100,000 cholera vaccines have been obtained and will be administered in and around displacement camps and communities in the region. Getting those effected with cholera to proper treatment is a top priority as is providing everyone, especially those in areas hardest hit by the flooding, with clean water and sanitary living conditions. The best way to slow the spread of cholera is to keep everyone living and working in cholera effected areas vaccinated and keep the water clean. Cholera can be cleaned out of water with chemical treatments or by simply boiling the water before consuming. (InterHealth Worldwide)

With fifty new cases of cholera popping up in Malawi in the week of March 9th-15th it is clear that the disease is increasing exponentially. It can only be hoped with the new vaccinations in the Nsanje region and a higher access to clean water and medical care that the disease will be back under control quickly. Most outbreaks last from October-April/ May and go away shortly after the end of the rainy season. This suggests that this year’s outbreak should end soon and preparations can start being made to treat or even eradicate cholera in Malawi before next year’s rainy season.