Malaria epidemic expected in Mozambique

Health experts fear epidemics of several infectious deseases in Mozambique as the flood waters recede and mosquitoes begin breeding.

According to Pierre Kahozi of the Maputo office of the World Health Organization, malaria is endemic in the region but there are fears that a much greater outbreak might occur in around a month. It is too early to tell if the situation has already worsened markedly, he said.

Scores of suspected cases of cholera have been reported and more are expected, along with cases of other diarrhoeal conditions. The Mozambican government has reported a “high degree” of cholera and malaria in camps. Cholera is endemic in Maputo and Beira, but numbers of cases are expected to increase in the wake of the floods.

Dr Kahozi said that agencies were unable to get adequate statistics on diseases because tens of thousands of people were being airlifted to safety, and operations to