Malawi Red Cross intensifies cholera fight in Karonga

Malawi Red Cross Society has intensified efforts to eliminate cholera threat in Karonga District after a patient was last week diagnosed at Mlare Health Centre.

In an interview on Tuesday, Red Cross Karonga district coordinator Reuben Malema said they are supporting the district council with a number of activities to contain the disease.

He said: “We are supporting the district council with cholera case investigation and contact tracing ever since the district registered a case under Mlare Health Centre.

“We are supporting delivery and distribution of water, sanitation and hygiene [Wash] supplies which include pot-to-pot chlorination of the catchment area which contains 11 villages under Traditional Authority Kyungu.”

Malema also said they are engaging community leaders and implementing case area targeted interventions and health promotion campaigns.

Karonga District Health Office integrated disease surveillance and response officer Raymond Jereni said the environmental health team identified eight direct contacts to the patient, who are being monitored for signs and symptoms of cholera for 10 days.

He said: “The patient has since been discharged and is in stable condition.

“However, information obtained has shown possible consumption of contaminated food and contacts with people from Illeje and Mwambani in Tanzania.”