Lilongwe, 7 November 2022 – A consignment of two.9 million doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) has arrived in Malawi at a essential time as cholera continues to unfold throughout Malawi. OCV is really helpful to be used throughout cholera outbreak to comprise outbreaks and to restrict the unfold of the outbreak into new areas.

As of seven November, Malawi has recorded 6,253 cholera circumstances and 188 deaths from 27 affected districts.

The World Well being Group (WHO) by means of The Worldwide Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision facilitated procurement of those vaccines for the Malawi Authorities, funded by the International Alliance of Vaccines (GAVI).

The World Well being Group (WHO), the United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF) and companions are supporting the Authorities of Malawi by means of the Ministry of Well being to supply scientific care at devoted remedy facilities established nearer to communities, practice well being care staff, strengthen water remedy programs, distribute important provides, and lift consciousness on hygiene practices and prevention strategies.

“The OCV marketing campaign that will probably be carried over the following few weeks is simply one of many nation’s methods to strengthen the continuing cholera response and preparedness in Malawi. The marketing campaign will goal 2.9 million Malawians comprising of adults and kids aged one yr and above residing in extremely cholera-affected districts.  As well as, we encourage early well being looking for behaviour for remedy amongst all residents, the availability of secure water and sanitation, and constructive hygiene behaviour practices, that are essential to forestall and management the transmission of cholera,” stated Minister of Well being, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda.

That is the second consignment of cholera vaccines acquired by Malawi with help from GAVI, ICG, UNICEF and WHO. The primary marketing campaign of Could 2022 reached over one and half million individuals.

This second marketing campaign will prioritize 14 districts with excessive variety of cholera circumstances particularly Karonga, Rumphi, Mzimba North, Mzimba South, Likoma, Nkhatabay, Chitipa, Lilongwe, Salima, Nkhotakota, Kasungu, Nsanje, Zomba, and Blantyre.  The focused districts have been decided following in-depth evaluation of historic and present epidemiological knowledge and present danger elements.

ENDS

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Cholera Replace

A complete of 27 Districts have reported Cholera circumstances because the affirmation of the primary case this yr in March in Machinga district. The outbreak has been managed in 4 districts. Within the final 14 days, the illness has been reported in 23 Districts.

The cumulative confirmed circumstances and deaths reported because the onset of the outbreak is 6, 253 and 188 respectively, with case fatality fee at 3.0%. A complete of 5,867 individuals have recovered and 198 are at present within the remedy centres.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in a number of the world’s hardest locations, to succeed in the world’s most deprived kids. Throughout greater than 190 nations and territories, we work for each baby, in every single place, to construct a greater world for everybody. For extra info, go to UNICEF Malawi website and observe us on Twitter and Facebook.

About WHO


WHO has a broad mandate of attaining higher well being for everybody and dealing with 194 Member States throughout six areas and from greater than 150 places of work. Immunization stays one of the crucial necessary instruments in combating epidemics all through the world assuaging struggling of susceptible populations. For extra details about WHO please go to https://www.who.int/  and observe us on Twitter and Facebook

Media Contacts:

• Adrian Chikumbe, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Well being, Electronic mail: adrian.chikumbe [at] well being.gov.mw () | Tel: +265 999 952 251
• Rogers Bekisa Siula, Communications Officer, UNICEF Malawi, Electronic mail: rsiula [at] unicef.org () | Tel: +265 999 522 225
• Veronica Mukhuna, Communications Officer, WHO Malawi, Electronic mail: mukhunav [at] who.int () | Tel: +265 999 375 094