Nine People are reported dead while 191 people are receiving treatment following the Cholera outbreak in the Eastern District of Machinga in a space of two weeks.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe confirmed of the development in an interview with one of the privately owned radio in the country.

Chikumbe said that the outbreak is spreading fast in Zomba and Machinga due to unsafe use of water in Lake Chilwa which is highly contaminated with vibrio Cholera.

He said so far cholera cases countrywide have hit 251 with Nkhata-bay district recording 12 cases, Zomba, 48 cases.

Chikumbe said the ministry is doing everything possible to contain the outbreak.

“Medical supplies for cholera treatment are available in all health facilities. Chlorine for water treatment is also being distributed in the communities by Health Surveillance Assistants,” he said.

Cholera can be prevented by: proper use of latrines; washing hands with soap after visiting the toilet, before handling food, before eating food and after changing babies nappies; drinking or using safe treated water (or boiled water) all the time and practising food hygiene.