Mozambique races to contain 1,000 cases of cholera

BEIRA, Mozambique (AP) — Mozambican and international health workers raced on Monday to contain the outbreak of cholera in the cyclone-hit city of Beira and surrounding areas, where cases of the disease has jumped to more than 1,000.

There has been one death from cholera and of the reported cases 97 remain in treatment centres, with others released, Mozambique’s health director Ussein Isse announced.

The new figures are an indication that cholera is spreading but is being brought under control, say health workers.

The overall cyclone death toll in Mozambique has risen to 518. With 259 deaths in Zimbabwe and 56 in Malawi, the three-nation death toll from Cyclone Idai now stands at more than 815.

Authorities warn the tolls are preliminary as receding flood waters will expose more bodies.

“There are seven emergency cholera treatment centres operational in Beira and two more being set up. Two additional centres are being set up in Nhamatanda,” said David Wightwick, the World Health Organization’s team leader in Beira.

Mozambican workers have restored clean tap water to parts of Beira, a city of 500,000, although large areas of the urban center still do not have access to sanitary water, he told The Associated Press while visiting a water treatment centre.

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