CHOLERA ATTACKS MORE DISTRICTS IN MANICA

The cholera epidemic that has affected the central Mozambican city of Chimoio, the capital of Manica province, since December last year has now spread, albeit on a minor scale, to the districts of Guro and Sussundenga.According to a report in Wednesday’s issue in the Maputo daily “Noticias”, 54 cases of cholera have been diagnosed in Manica, the overwhelming majority of them (50) in Chimoio. The two confirmed deaths from cholera also took place in Chimoio.Three cases have been diagnosed in Sussundenga and one in Guro, without any deaths.The Manica provincial health director, Juvenaldo Amos, told “Noticias” that he considers the situation stationary, since no new cases have been recorded for three days in Chimoio. The latest case in Sussundenga was diagnosed 10 days ago, and the sole case in Guro two weeks ago. He said that the province is on high alert and preventive measures are being taken. Cholera treatment centres have been reactivated in all districts, while the authorities are mobilising the population to observe collective and personal hygiene measures, regarded as crucial for preventing the disease. Among other measures, Amos announced the ongoing chlorination of water from traditional wells within Chimoio city and affected districts. The chlorine disinfects the drinking water – a key measure since contaminated water from unprotected wells is a major source of infection. The Manica Provincial Governor, Ana Comoane, met with Chimoio municipal and community officials on Tuesday to appeal for strengthened preventive measures and compliance with recommended hygiene measures. “It is worrying that Manica is considered a source of cholera in the central region,” she added. She said that chlorine, while fine for disinfecting water, is not sufficient to halt the spread of the disease, since it can also be transmitted in contaminated food.“Cleanliness and hygiene is the key to our success in the fight against cholera. Is it not repugnant to eat bananas and just throw the skins on the ground?” she asked, recommending that the municipal and community authorities should make people aware that the disorderly disposal of garbage encourages the spread of disease.As for other deaths that have occurred outside hospital, after the victims have suffered from acute vomiting and diarrhea, symptoms that sound suspiciously like those of cholera, Manica health officials say these cannot be definitively confirmed as cholera deaths, since the necessary laboratory analyses were not made.