By Thula Chisamba
Rumphi, January 20, Mana: Rumphi District Hospital in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) has rolled out an oral cholera vaccination (OCV) exercise which is targeting 36000 people in the district.
Chief Preventive Health Officer for the district, Sam Chirwa said the move is a proactive response to an alarming upsurge of cholera cases in the district and the neighbouring Mzimba North.
“Currently, we have already registered 29 cholera cases, and the disease is reportedly fast spreading in neighbouring Mzimba North, particularly in areas like Vongo which is very close to us here,” said Chirwa.
He said the current vaccination drive aims to bolster immunity among vulnerable populations, particularly in the wake of the recent cases that have raised alarms about the potential for widespread transmission.
In an interview, one of the bicycle taxi operators at Rumphi Boma, Joel Msimuko said his business makes him susceptible to the infection hence would take the vaccine.
“I took it two years ago, and as per requirement doctors say I have to take it again this year. Even if they would recommend taking it every year, I would be taking it because my taxi business exposes me to the infection more than others,” said Msimuko.
Meanwhile, local health authorities in the district are also ramping up efforts to educate the public about preventive measures against cholera, including proper sanitation practices and the importance of boiling water before consumption.
In Malawi, Rumphi is one of the districts that is vulnerable to the disease. In 2022 over 783 cases and 13 deaths were registered in the district.
Currently, the district hospital has already stationed health workers in various locations throughout the district to ensure easy access to the vaccine during the campaign which will run until January 25th this year.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium ‘Vibrio cholerae’.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths are reported each year across the globe.
