Karonga hit by Cholera outbreak, 100 cases across Malawi
Government says over 100 people were down with the disease in the past four months and the situation seems not to improve in Karonga which continues to receive continuous heavy rains with five death recorded so far out of 48 cases.
Adrian Chikumbe, spokesperson for ministry of health says 27 people have so far lost their lives in Karonga, Zomba, Mangochi, Nkhata Bay and Machinga among some districts from January.
He said the government has provided chlorine and sanitation materials and messages to hundreds of people at risk of getting the disease.
In Karonga, District Environmental Health Officer Lewis Tukula said the district has just registered five deaths due to cholera.
He said the district has run out of chlorine, dehydrated salt and fuelmaking the fight against the disease a tall order.
Tukula said as of Monday, 14 people were in various health facilities receiving cholera treatment.
Accoridng to ministry of health, cholera is characterised by more than four episodes of diarrhoea within 12 hours. This is followed by severe dehydration and can lead to death if untreated
Cholera is caused by a bacterium, Vibrio cholerae. In its most severe form, it is characterised by an explosive outpouring of fluids from the body through vomiting and/or diarrhoea within hours of infection such that, if not treated appropriately, can lead to death.
If not properly handled, the bodily fluids can contaminate food and water.
