By Chisomo Phiri
Following the continuing increase in the number of cholera cases in the country, the government through a Presidential Taskforce on Corona Virus and Cholera has postponed the opening of Primary and Secondary schools in the two major cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe tomorrow.
The schools were expected to open tomorrow Tuesday January 3,2023 after Christmas and New Year holidays.
In a statement this publication has in possession, the presidential taskforce on cholera says the schools in the two cities will not open as earlier advised, but will be delayed for no less than two weeks, and until further advice.
The taskforce adds that, the two respective city councils, working with the Ministry of Health, Education, and Water and Sanitation, should intensify initiatives to scale up coverage with safe water, adequate food hygiene, adequate sanitation and cholera vaccination in all hotspot areas, including among school age populations.
Reads the statement ” For all other learners in all health districts, the respective authorities should enhance compliance with recommended cholera control measures, including cholera vaccination for those that have not yet been vaccinated.
” The taskforce will continue to monitor trends and cases in the two cities, and across the country, and advice accordingly on the way forward.”
It concludes ” The taskforce highly regrets any inconvenience caused by this late advice solely taken in the interest of safety for our learners.”
In a similar situation, the Blantyre City council also announced the closure of Limbe market and Limbe Bus Depot to allow chlorination of the two sites.
So far, in Malawi, 595 people have died of Cholera outbreak with 17,824 being diagnosed with the disease.
Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water.
The disease causes severe diarrhea and dehydration
If left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people.
