CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN MALAWI

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000237

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/S GABRIELLE MALLORY
STATE FOR INR/AA
USAID FOR AFR/SD, HOPE SUKIN AND AYANNA TOURE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, MI
SUBJ: CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN MALAWI


1. Heavy and continuous rainfall has led to an increase in
the number of cholera cases this season, affecting 18 of
Malawi's regional districts and over 3,800 people since
October 2005. While these numbers are noteworthy, they
follow a region-wide trend, as seasonal excess rainwater has
mixed with waste water to fuel the epidemic. Both UNICEF
and WHO act as the point-organizations on Cholera in Malawi.
USAID is launching a point-of-use water project that will
greatly reduce infections in the future.

2. While 46 deaths due to Cholera have been reported since
mid-October, both fatalities and infections have been on the
decrease for the past three weeks. 323 cases were reported
in the week of February 27 - March 5, a decrease of almost
150 from the previous week.

3. The numbers reported are much larger than last year's
(724 cases had been reported at the same time last year,
versus 3,852 this year). However, last year was an
abnormally dry year, as rainfall stopped much earlier than
usual.

4. In Malawi a clear delineation of responsibility exists
in the response to cholera. UNICEF leads the efforts in
prevention activities, as well as supply procurement and
training for control. WHO is primarily heading the efforts
in capacity building and surveillance.

5. As a follow-on to Population Services International's
(PSI) successful provision of Waterguard (a water
purification liquid) to the general population, particularly
in cholera stricken areas, USAID is submitting a proposal to
the Global Development Alliance (GDA) for an initiative
supported by PSI/Malawi, along with Procter & Gamble and
Chemical & Marketing, a Malawian company. The proposed
activity will leverage investment in planned point-of-use
water treatment. It is anticipated that this project will
increase access to safe water for those populations most
effected by the recurrent cholera outbreaks seen in the
country. The proposed activity will target children under
the age of five years, however it is anticipated the entire
household will benefit as the water-borne diseases,
including cholera, are reduced.

6. Comment: What is clear is that better sanitation and
treatment of water is needed before Malawi will free itself
from the loss of lives from cholera. End Comment.

EASTHAM