By The Forum

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation says Malawi has recorded 16 confirmed cholera cases since the first case was detected on December 11, 2025.

In a statement, Principal Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Health, Beston Chisamile, said the figures are as of January 5, 2026, and cases have been reported in eight districts.

According to the ministry, Kasungu has recorded the highest number of cases at five, followed by Neno and Blantyre with three cases each. Lilongwe, Balaka, Chitipa, Mzimba North and Karonga have each reported one case.

To contain the outbreak, the ministry has activated several response measures, including the National Public Health Operations Centre and the Incident Management System. Rapid response teams have been deployed at both national and district levels, while confirmed cases are being managed in cholera treatment units and designated health facilities.

The ministry said it will also intensify case investigations, contact tracing and community monitoring, as well as screening of suspected cases at selected points of entry.

Additional interventions include cross-border coordination meetings with Mozambique—where cholera has also been declared in Tete Province—risk communication and community engagement activities, distribution of chlorine for water treatment, laboratory testing and confirmation of samples, water quality testing, and sanitation and hygiene promotion.

Cholera outbreak was officially declared on December 28, 2025, by Minister of Health and Sanitation Madalitso Baloyi.

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