Lilongwe, 7 November 2022 – A shipment of 2.9 million doses of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) has arrived in Malawi at a critical time as cholera continues to spread across Malawi. It is recommended to use OCV during a cholera outbreak to contain outbreaks and limit the spread of the outbreak to new areas.
As of November 7, Malawi had recorded 6,253 cholera cases and 188 deaths in 27 affected districts.
The World Health Organization (WHO), through the International Vaccine Supply Coordinating Group (ICG), facilitated the procurement of these vaccines for the Government of Malawi, funded by the Global Alliance for vaccines (GAVI).
The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and their partners are supporting the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Health to provide clinical care at treatment centers established closer to communities, train health workers, strengthen water treatment systems, distribute essential supplies and raise awareness of hygiene practices and prevention methods.
“The OCV campaign that will be carried out over the next few weeks is just one of the country’s strategies to strengthen Malawi’s ongoing cholera response and preparedness. The campaign will target 2.9 million Malawians comprising adults and children aged one year and older living in districts heavily affected by cholera. In addition, we encourage early health-seeking behaviors for treatment among all citizens, the provision of clean water and sanitation, and positive hygiene behavior practices, which are essential to prevent and control transmission of cholera,” said Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda. .
This is the second shipment of cholera vaccines received by Malawi with support from GAVI, ICG, UNICEF and WHO. The first campaign in May 2022 reached more than one and a half million people.
This second campaign will prioritize 14 districts with high number of cholera cases namely Karonga, Rumphi, Mzimba North, Mzimba South, Likoma, Nkhatabay, Chitipa, Lilongwe, Salima, Nkhotakota, Kasungu, Nsanje, Zomba and Blantyre. The target districts were determined following a thorough analysis of historical and current epidemiological data and current risk factors.
ENDS
Note to editors:
Cholera Update
A total of 27 districts have reported cholera cases since the first case was confirmed this year in March in Machinga district. The outbreak has been brought under control in four districts. In the past 14 days, the disease has been reported in 23 districts.
The cumulative number of confirmed cases and deaths reported since the start of the epidemic is 6, 253 and 188 respectively, with a fatality rate of 3.0%. A total of 5,867 people have recovered and 198 are currently in treatment centres.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. In more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information, visit the UNICEF Malawi website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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Media contacts:
Adrian Chikumbe, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Health, Email: | Such. : +265 999 952 251 Rogers Bekisa Siula, Communications Officer, UNICEF Malawi, Email: | Such. : +265 999 522 225 Veronica Mukhuna, Communications Officer, WHO Malawi, Email: | Tel: +265 999 375 094
