Chikhwawa district, southern part of Malawi, continues to register increased cholera cases every year due to lack of latrines among communities.

Statistics shows that during the period of November last year to May this year, the district registered 361 cases with 6 deaths.

Out of 900 households in Matelekera village in traditional authority Ngabu there are only 345 latrines.

Information, education and communication officer of Chikhwawa district health office Felix Simbi confirmed that most households use bushes for defecation due to lack of latrines.

Simbi said these people are mostly affected by the outbreak in the rainy season.

“We have now embarked on a sensitization initiative among communities on the importance of using latrines to reduce the outbreak of cholera,” said Simbi

He said the campaign is progressing well as some families have started building latrines to prevent the disease.