Cholera outbreak intensifies in Mozambique, killing 12 in a day

2026-02-01 - 06:45

Mozambique’s public health crisis has deepened as a surging cholera outbreak claimed 12 lives in just 24 hours, according to the latest official data. The country’s Directorate of Public Health recorded 135 new infections on Saturday alone, with nearly half of the new patients requiring hospital admission. Tete Province at the Center of the Crisis The central region of Tete is now the focal point of the epidemic. Recent days have seen the death toll there more than double, with 87 new cases identified in the same one-day period. The outbreak, which began in September of last year, has also seen significant case spikes in the northern provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado. Government’s Long-Term Plan Against the Disease The current wave follows a devastating year for cholera in Mozambique, with 169 fatalities recorded throughout 2025. In response, the government initiated a strategic plan last September aimed at eliminating cholera as a public health threat by 2030. Cabinet spokesperson Innocencio Impissa outlined the goal of ensuring communities have access to safe water, sanitation, and quality healthcare through coordinated, evidence-based actions. A Compound Catastrophe with Flooding The public health emergency is exacerbated by a parallel natural disaster. Mozambique is currently grappling with severe flooding after weeks of torrential rains, which have killed numerous people and displaced millions nationwide. This humanitarian disaster creates ideal conditions for waterborne diseases like cholera to spread, challenging containment efforts and straining resources.