Malawi bans food sales in schools as cholera spreads

By Moses Michael-Phiri

LILONGWE, Malawi (AA) - Malawi has banned the sale of food at all schools which opened Monday due to a surge in cholera cases.

“The ministry has with immediate effect banned selling of food in primary and secondary school premises. This is a preventive measure to curb the further spread of the disease,” Chikondano Mussa, Education Ministry principal secretary, said in a statement made available to Anadolu Agency.

She said school authorities must also carry out general hygiene inspections among learners every day before classes.

“Schools must further promote early health-seeking behaviour among learners,” said Mussa.

Since the first case was reported in the East African country this March, cholera has killed 117 people.

The cases, which continue to rise steadily, have now reached 4,223 in 23 districts out of the country’s 28, according to a Health Ministry report.

The ministry also says the case fatality rate is 2.8%, meaning the disease is killing two people in every 100 patients.

However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), cholera is supposed to kill one person in every 100 patients.

The situation has already prompted the ministry to seek $20 billion for interventions to curb the outbreak before the onset of the rainy season.

Epidemiologist Adamson Muula told Anadolu Agency via telephone that cholera continues to spread due to poor access to clean water and sanitation.

“Malawians do not have access to clean water. The cholera outbreak has proved that we government needs to do more in providing safe water to citizens,” he said.