Nkhata Bay ‘cholera-free’

Nkhata Bay has made great strides to combat the raging cholera outbreak having recorded no new cases for weeks.

The Ministry of Health is today expected to declare the northern lakeshore district cholera-free.

This coincides with an increase in the number of cholera cases countrywide from 199 to 227 in the past week.

Nkhata Bay District Hospital spokesperson Christopher Singini asked for more support as public health agents have intensified campaigns to kick out the sanitation-related disease.

They plan to chlorinate water in all schools to safeguard pupils from the outbreak. Besides, they are sensitising community members to preventive measures, especially hand-washing and toilet use.

“If partners support us, these interventions we will continue. It is hard to sustain such activities because our budget is limited,” he said.

Singini thanked various organisations for providing fuel, chlorine and other essential supplies.

Cholera continues to wreak havoc in Lilongwe, Karonga, Salima and Kasungu districts where 27 new cases occurred.

According to Ministry of Health spokesperson Joshua Malango, Karonga has registered 170 cases and four deaths—up from 155.

Lilongwe has recorded 25 cases, Salima has nine, Dowa has four cases.

Nkhata Bay registered 18 cases.

Fortunately, no new deaths have been recorded. The death toll is still at four nationwide,” said Malango.