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Malawi: Cholera Outbreak - Mar 2022

Status
Ongoing
Countries
Malawi
Disaster types
Epidemic

Malawi is currently experiencing one of the worst cholera outbreaks in years. The first case was registered in Machinga district in the Southern region of Malawi on 02 March 2022. The Malawi Ministry of Health declared the cholera outbreak on 03 March 2022 after the increase and spread of confirmed cases. The cholera outbreak, initially limited to the southern part of the country, has now spread to Malawi's northern and central regions. Meanwhile, the country continues to register new cholera cases in different parts of the country. As of 31 August 2022, the outbreak had claimed 67 lives with 1,736 cases being registered in 15 districts representing a case fatality rate of 3.85%. (IFRC, 17 Sep 2022)

A total of 22 over 27 districts have reported cholera cases since the confirmation of the first case this year in March. As of 25 September, the cumulative confirmed cases reported are 3,314 with 99 deaths, for a Case Fatality Rate of 3.0%. A total of 3,143 people have recovered and 71 are currently admitted in treatment centres. (ECHO, 28 Sep 2022)

A total of 29 districts have reported Cholera cases since the confirmation of the first case in March 2022 in Machinga district. As of 13 November 2022, the cumulative confirmed cases and deaths reported since the onset of the outbreak is 8 111 and 241 respectively, with Case Fatality Rate at 3.0%. (WHO, 18 Nov 2022)

On 14 December, Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 12,854 cumulative cases across all 29 districts, out of which 14 districts reporting cases in the last 14 days, 133 new cases, 379 deaths (3 new), and a case fatality rate of 2.95%. Preliminary results from the Ministry of Health (MoH) indicate that the cholera vaccination campaign, which took place from 28 November to 2 December, reached more than 2 million people, representing 71.6% out of the targeted 2.9 million people. (ECHO, 16 Dec 2022)

There has been a 95% increase in the number of cholera cases in November (4,766 confirmed cases) compared to October (2434 confirmed cases). Based on this, on 5 December 2022, the State President declared the 2022 Cholera Outbreak a “Public Health Emergency”. As of 5 December, the epidemic included a cumulative total of 11,462 cholera cases with 332 deaths (CFR 2.9%) and 12,854 cases and 47 more deaths on 14 December 2022. This translates to urgent need to strengthen and expand the response engaged in September. (IFRC, 25 Dec 2022)

A total of 29 districts have reported Cholera cases since the confirmation of the first case in March 2022 in Machinga district. As of 7 January 2023, the cumulative confirmed cases and deaths reported since the onset of the outbreak is 20 527 and 687 respectively, with Case Fatality Rate at 3.3%. (WHO, 13 Jan 2023)

On 23 January, the Ministry of Health reported the cumulative confirmed cases and deaths since the onset of the outbreak at 29,995 and 990 respectively, with the case fatality rate at 3.30%, which is above the acceptable threshold set by the WHO of less than 1%. The update also indicated that a total of 27,936 people have recovered while 1,069 are currently in treatment units. (WHO, 24 Jan 2023)

The United Nations and humanitarian partners in Malawi today launched a Flash Appeal to assist four million people, including 56,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, who have been hardest-hit by, and are at highest-risk of, cholera, in support of the Government-led response. The appeal—which calls for US$45.3 million for the next five months—comes as the numbers of cholera cases and deaths in Malawi have increased exponentially since the beginning of January 2023, worsening what is already the deadliest cholera outbreak in the country’s history. (OCHA, 20 Feb 2023)

A total of 29 districts have reported Cholera cases since the confirmation of the first case in March 2022 in Machinga district. As of 23 April 2023, the cumulative confirmed cases and deaths reported since the onset of the outbreak is 58 171 and 1 743 respectively, with Case Fatality Rate at 3.0%. (WHO, 27 Apr 2023)

The cholera outbreak in Malawi has continued to show a decline in new cases and deaths over the past three months. There were 34 cases (56% decrease) in week 21 compared with 78 cases in week 20. There was no death reported in week 21 compared with two deaths reported week 20.

As of 25 May 2023, a cumulative total of 58 785 cases have been reported since the onset of the outbreak in all the 29 districts of the country. The cumulative number of deaths now stands at 1 760, with a case fatality ratio of 3.0%. Nine districts reported new cases in the last five days and the top three districts were Chikwawa, Blantyre, Lilongwe and Balaka accounting for 77% of new cases reported. (WHO, 29 May 2023)

Malawi has been grappling with the worst cholera outbreak in its history, which since its start in March 2022 has caused 1,768 fatalities and 60,000 registered cases (as of 4 October 2023). With sporadic cases still being registered, there are concerns that the outbreak could worsen again when the rainy season commences in November. The country also faces endemic malaria and a re-emergence of such vaccine-preventable diseases as polio, contributing to the need for response programmes that are fit for this polycrisis context. With reduced access to health care, WASH and nutrition services due to damaged health-care facilities and underlying economic challenges, disease outbreaks, especially cholera, could continue into the next rainy season. In view of the projected El Niño weather pattern and the anticipated poor food security outcomes – coupled with high poverty rates, the existing vulnerabilities especially in the southern areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy, and the ongoing economic downturn – UNICEF is anticipating that the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance could rise to 9.4 million in 2024. Urgent action is required to protect livelihoods, reduce the deterioration of the nutrition situation and prevent the resurgence of a widespread cholera outbreak. (UNICEF, 28 Dec 2023)

A cumulative total of 59 125 cases have been reported since the onset of the outbreak from all the 29 districts of the country as of 7 January 2024. In week 01/2024, there was 50% decrease in new cases from four in week 52/2023 to two new cases. No new deaths were reported in weeks 52/2023 and 01/2024. The cumulative number of deaths is now 1 771 with a case fatality ratio of 3.0%. The 2023/2024 cholera season began on 01 November 2023 and the reporting has been adjusted to reflect the number of cholera cases reported in the current cholera season by the government. (WHO, 12 Feb 2024)