The World Health Organization, WHO reported an increase in cholera cases in Mozambique in recent weeks, despite many other African countries reporting a decrease.
The country has received approval for an additional 1.3 million cholera vaccine doses to help control the spread, according to the agency, but the vaccine shortage must still be addressed.
Malawi, which has been fighting the deadliest cholera outbreak in its history, is now seeing a sustained decline in cases and deaths, according to WHO official and epidemiologist Dr. Otim Ramadan.
Cholera outbreaks are also being addressed in Zambia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.
The progress to bring down the transmission of the disease in Malawi in the last four weeks may reverse quickly due to the severe devastation caused by Tropical Storm Freddy, Ramadan warned.
Overall, cholera cases and deaths in Africa have been declining over recent weeks.
So far this year, more than 40,000 cases have been reported in Africa, with Malawi accounting for more than half and Mozambique recording about 15%, WHO reported.
The agency’s officials warned that there could be a high number of cases by the end of the second quarter if a comprehensive response is not taken to stop the further spread of the disease.
