Aftermath of Cyclone Freddy: Mozambique in the Throes of Cholera
Cholera epidemic has hit Mozambique following the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy.
The Southern African nation of Mozambique is in the throes of a virulent cholera epedmic following the impact of Cyclone Freddy.
which also left tails of death and destruction, displacing over 184,000 people, it has also triggered a virulent cholera epidemic.
The World Health Organization, WHO, said in Maputo on Friday that the cyclone left a trail of death and destruction, displacing over 184,000 people, with over 1000,000 more now facing additional after-effects, including cholera, Polio and or Covid-19.
"While the cholera outbreaks regularly occur in Mozambique between October and April of every year with more than 21,000 cases currently and 95 deaths, this is the largest outbreak in the last 20 years.
"For example, Manica province bordering Zimbabwe, had not seen a case of cholera in the last 15 years," WHO spokesperson, Dr Severin von Xylander disclosed.
Cyclone Freddy damaged 163 health facilities mid-March, with eight of the country’s 11 provinces affected, sometimes with rising cases. However, reports indicate that fatality rate in the available treatment centres is still below threshold.
"Luckily, the case fatality rate for the cholera treatment center is below the threshold of one per cent, which means we are able to save lives. And I really have to acknowledge the wonderful work that the Ministry of Health is doing, deploying people that at the same time need to look after their families and meanwhile treating people," Dr von Xylander emphasized.
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