Vaccines arrive as cholera infects 1,400

Chinese doctors donate disaster-relief equipment to cyclone-hit Mozambique

Cholera cases in cyclone-hit Mozambique have risen above 1,400, government officials said on Tuesday, as nearly 900,000 doses of cholera vaccine arrived in an attempt to limit the rapid spread of the disease.

Authorities announced a second death from cholera, which causes acute diarrhea and is spread by contaminated food and water, Some 128,000 displaced cyclone survivors are now at risk daily while living in temporary, often crowded, shelters, The Associated Press reported. Cholera can kill within hours if not treated.

The cholera outbreak has grown swiftly since it was declared last week with five confirmed cases. Now there are 1,428, most occurring in the hard-hit port city of Beira, which has been the hub of relief efforts since Cyclone Idai roared in on March 14.

The city of a half-million residents is most at risk but the disease has also been reported in outlying communities in central Mozambique. The newest death was in Dondo, government officials said.

Monday's count of cholera cases had been 1,052.

That figure was already more than double the 500 beds available in seven cholera treatment centers across the region, though the World Health Organization said it plans to "boost the capacity significantly".

Mozambique authorities on Tuesday also said the overall death toll in the country from the cyclone had risen to 598. The real toll may never be known, with some people quickly buried or washed away.

It damaged or destroyed 54 health centers across central Mozambique, further challenging efforts to contain cholera and other waterborne diseases such as malaria.

Cyclone Idai also killed at least 259 people in neighboring Zimbabwe and at least 56 in Malawi.

Nearly 900,000 oral cholera vaccines arrived in Beira for the expected launch of a vaccination campaign on Wednesday.

"The next few weeks are crucial and speed is of the essence if we are to save lives and limit suffering," said WHO's regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti.

Underfunded aid

Meanwhile, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Tuesday called for more funding and long-term aid to Cyclone Idai victims in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Yet the international response is still underfunded, she warned. The three countries need more than $392 million for the next three months. Currently only $46 million has been tallied, she said. "We call on member states to bridge this gap urgently."

"Beyond the emergency phase, we need to ensure sustained support that will help people and governments cope with the longer term development consequences of the storm, from shelter and health to food security."

China's rescue team donated disaster-relief equipment to Mozambique on Tuesday in Beira, Xinhua said.

The equipment, valued at $700,000, includes rescue kits, hospital supplies, medications, folding beds and tents.

Ussene Issa, national director of medical assistance of the Mozambican Health Ministry, said China's aid will relieve the health sector's pressure in dealing with the current emergency.

"China has not only offered the donations we are receiving today, but has also been involved in the medical care for Cyclone Idai victims, distributing food and water. What we gained from China is necessary support and important reinforcement," said the director, expressing the government's gratitude.

Since March 25, the 65-member Chinese rescue team has been giving medical assistance to thousands of victims in local accommodation centers, distributing food, water and supplies, providing sanitizing services in many disaster-affected neighborhoods where sanitation and water infrastructures were compromised by Cyclone Idai.

According to Issa, emergency coordination with other health partners will allow the donations to be distributed efficiently across the affected provinces.

Zhao Ming, leader of the Chinese rescue team, said at the handover ceremony that although his team is ready to return, they leave the best equipment and China will always show solidarity with the Mozambican people.

Agencies and Xinhua