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Cyclone-ravaged Mozambique reports cholera cases
BEIRA, Mozambique, March 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Five cases of cholera have
been confirmed in Mozambique following the cyclone that ravaged the country,
killing at least 468 people, a government health official said on Wednesday.
Cyclone Idai smashed into Mozambique on March 15, unleashing hurricane-
force winds and heavy rains that flooded much of the centre of the country
and then battered eastern Zimbabwe and Malawi.
The Red Cross has previously warned of a “ticking bomb of disease” and
called for the deployment of medicines and health professionals to avert a
full-blown health disaster.
“We have five cases of cholera which have been confirmed. This is in Beira
and the area around,” the health official, Ussein Isse, told journalists,
referring to the city which bore the brunt of the cyclone’s force.
Cholera is a waterborne disease that thrives in conditions of poor hygiene
and causes acute diarrhoea that can prove fatal if untreated.
“We were expecting cholera cases and we were prepared for this. We have put
all the measures in place to try to mitigate the spread of cholera as much as
we can,” said Emma Batey, a coordinator at the COSACA emergency aid
consortium.
Stagnant water, decomposing bodies and lack of sanitation in overcrowded
shelters in Mozambique could create breeding grounds for typhus and malaria
in addition to cholera, experts say.
“There will be more cases because cholera is epidemic. When you have one
case you can expect more. We are implementing preventive measures to limit
the impact,” added Isse.
UN humanitarian aid chief Mark Lowcock has appealed for $282 million (250
million euros) of relief aid over the next three months for Mozambique.
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said roughly 3,125 square kilometres
(1,200 square miles) of land had been swamped.
– ‘Bringing help to families’ –
Nearly three million people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe have
been affected according to the WFP and 500,000 displaced.
More than 700 people have been killed in Mozambique and Zimbabwe and
hundreds are missing, according to an AFP toll compiled from figures provided
by governments and UN agencies.
The International Organisation for Migration has said that Cyclone Idai and
its aftermath “could rank as the worst disaster to hit the region in
decades”.
“In Beira city… they have five cases of malaria and 100 cases of
diarrhoea. Soon we’ll have more updates, but they are still receiving other
(patients),” said Isse.
“So they are taking precautions of isolating those who have diarrhoea… so
it cannot spread.”
A long line of women in bright dresses waited under the baking sun in
Estaquinha, 80 kilometres west of Beira, to receive emergency supplies from
South African NGO Gift of the Givers Tuesday.
Environment Minister Celso Correia said around 170,000 people were living
in government relief camps but insisted that conditions were improving.
“Most of them already have doctors there and clean water and other means of
assistance. The situation is getting better,” he said alongside Isse at the
media briefing.
“The biggest challenge remains bringing help to families.”
Roads made impassable by flood water and debris are gradually being
unblocked.
BSS/AFP/RY/1640 hrs