Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Mozambique

Mozambique: Cholera Outbreak and Floods Readiness (MDRMZ019)

Attachments

Glide Number: EP-2023-000006-MOZ

Description of the Event

What happened, where and when?

On 8th January 2023, the Niassa Daily Cholera Bulletin from the Ministry of Health (MoH) indicated an alarming increase in the number of Cholera cases in the province of the same name, which borders Malawi where the current cholera outbreak is worsening. At the time, Niassa province recorded 379 confirmed cholera cases and 6 deaths in Lago, 250 in Lichinga district with 2 deaths reported. As of 13th January 2023, the reports from MoH showed a cumulative caseload of 878 confirmed cases and 14 deaths. This is an 80% increase from the number of cases recorded on 21 December 2022, which was 409 cases confirmed with 7 reported deaths.

To note, five (05) provinces are facing the cholera outbreak or are at risk of experiencing it given the rate at which the outbreak is spreading. Concerned areas include the districts of Lago, Lichinga , Sanga, Chimbonila and Mecanhelas in Niassa province; the districts of Xai-Xai and Chilaulene in Gaza province; Tete province; Zambezia province and the districts of Caia and Buzi in Sofala province. A similar risk is also considered in other surrounding countries, mainly Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Zambia.

Malawi borders Niassa province and it is likely that transmission is linked to activities along the border areas, increased rainfall and interactions from the recent festive season. There are cases of diarrhea being reported in other districts in Niassa as well, but no cholera laboratory confirmation yet. The upcoming rainy season further poses a threat of the disease spreading nation-wide. Given the surge in cases with the floods season ahead, there is a high risk to exacerbate the Cholera situation and overall humanitarian situation in the coming weeks, until the end of the rain and cyclone season.

Indeed, INAM has forecasted heavy seasonal rainfall in Mozambique through January and February, with the country expected to receive normal to above normal heavy rainfalls. Parts of the country are already experiencing rainfalls including Maputo, parts of Sofala and Zambezia povinces. However, the peak of the rainfall season is likely to occur from late January to February as has been the historical pattern in the country (World Bank Climate Change Portal). The latest release of the daily forecasts (Bulletin no.002 dated 7th January) by INAM has warned of heavy rains and strong winds in areas including the following districts of Sofala: in Machanga, Chibabbavu, Buzi, Dondo, Nhamatanda, Muanza, Gorongosa, Cheringoma, Merromeu, Maringue, Caia, Chemba and Beira city (Heavy rain advisory INAM 5th Jan 2023.jpg). A model by the NASA Global Flood (accessed through IFRC GO platform) and Imminent risk watch, issued a Floods Warning (Map3) on 24 December 2022, 19:33:00 UTC for possible flooding in Sofala, Manica, and Zambezia provinces of Mozambique.