The number of deaths from Malawi’s cholera outbreak has risen to 110, with Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda announcing on Tuesday that the disease has so far affected 3,891 people since March.
Statistics released by the minister showed that the death toll has risen by 12 percent since September 26 when the fatalities stood at 98. There has also been a 20-percent rise in infections over the past week.
The disease is spreading rapidly across Malawi, with 22 of the country’s 28 districts having been affected.
Chiponda attributed the rise in cases to poor food hygiene, lack of safe water and poor sanitation.
“The major factors associated with the cholera outbreak in the communities are poor food hygiene, lack of safe water and low latrines coverage and usage,” Chiponda said.
The situation is expected to worse during the forthcoming rainy season that kicks off in October and runs until April 2023.
JN/APA