Daijiworld Media Network - Blantyre
Blantyre, Jan 29: Malawi is grappling with a growing cholera outbreak, with health authorities reporting at least three deaths and more than 50 confirmed cases since October 2025, prompting urgent public health interventions across affected regions.
Health and sanitation minister Madalitso Baloyi raised alarm on Wednesday during a sensitisation meeting with local authorities in Blantyre, the country’s commercial hub and the area most affected by the outbreak, according to reports by Xinhua News Agency. She said Blantyre alone has recorded two deaths and around 30 cholera cases, making it the epicentre of the current surge.
The minister also disclosed the detection of one case of poliovirus type 2 in Blantyre. Samples collected locally were sent to South Africa for laboratory analysis, which later confirmed the presence of the virus. Health officials said the polio case involved a seven-year-old boy who had never received vaccination, reportedly due to parental beliefs.
Blantyre’s director of Health and Social Services, Gift Kawalazira, attributed the twin health threats largely to poor sanitation and hygiene conditions, which continue to heighten vulnerability in densely populated areas.
In response, the Malawian government has intensified collaboration with international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), focusing on vaccination drives, sanitation measures, and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of both cholera and polio.
Last December, Malawi appealed for over $3 million in financial assistance to support its Cholera Preparedness and Control Plan. At a press briefing in Lilongwe, Minister Baloyi said the country had recorded 11 confirmed cholera cases across five districts, including the capital. The total budget for the control plan stands at $3.37 million, but authorities have so far secured only about $357,000, leaving a funding gap of more than $3 million.
The government has also stepped up cross-border coordination with neighbouring Mozambique, launching joint investigations into suspected cases in the border districts of Mwanza and Moatize. To strengthen national preparedness, Malawi has activated its National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and set up a national incident management team to coordinate response efforts.
Health officials have urged communities to prioritise hygiene, sanitation, and vaccination, warning that sustained public cooperation will be critical to preventing further spread of the disease.