Cholera outbreak declared in Mozambique

Two weeks after Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique, a cholera outbreak has been declared. Catastrophic flooding caused substantial damage to the water supply system in the city of Beira, preventing residents from accessing clean drinking water, disrupting sanitation services—and creating prime conditions for the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is treating around 200 cholera patients per day, providing potable water and sanitation, and aiming to scale up services soon. Discussions about a mass cholera vaccination campaign are also underway with the Ministry of Health.