The Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that a case of cholera has been
confirmed at Machinga District Hospital on 02nd March 2022. The patient reported to the
facility on 28th February 2022 and rigorous investigations isolated V.Cholerae 1 . He is a 57 old male from Balaka District. This is the first case of cholera in the current 2021 – 2022
cholera season.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated
with the bacterium called “vibrio cholerae”. The main signs and symptoms are diarrhea with
or without vomiting. The disease affects both children and adults if untreated and it can kill
within hours. Cholera is more common during the rainy season.

The Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Health has put measures in place to prevent and control spread of the outbreak by intensifying surveillance including contact
tracing of the index case. In addition, Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaigns have been
conducted in Cholera hotspot areas as well as distributing chlorine to the communities for
water treatment, and sending out cholera control information to all the people through
different channels.

The public is informed that Cholera is a preventable disease and this can be achieved through drinking safe water, proper use of latrines, washing hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet and before handling food, using safe/treated water all the time and practising food hygiene. Cholera prevention is everybody’s business!

All people in the country are being reminded to go to the hospital early if they develop
diarrhoea or if they are suffering from any other disease. Medical supplies for treatment of
cholera are available in all health facilities in the country.

Dr. Charles Mwansambo
SECRETARY FOR HEALH