Epidemic (human)
Details
Event title
Mozambique - Mozambique Declares Cholera Epidemic Amid Multiple Outbreaks
Source
Main event
Event date (UTC)
2026-02-20 15:40:32
Last update (UTC)
2026-02-20 15:40:32
Severity
Mid
Area range
Multiple states / regions wide event
Address/Affected area(s)
central provinces of Zambezia, Manica and Tete, and the northern provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado
Mozambique has officially declared a cholera epidemic as health authorities battle simultaneous outbreaks across several regions.
National Director of Public Health, Quinhas Fernandes said the country had moved beyond isolated outbreaks.
“The country has an epidemic. That’s clear because we have several outbreaks in several places.
“The definition of an epidemic is when we have several outbreaks at the same time. So yes, we have an epidemic,”Fernandes told journalists.
He announced that between 3 October 2025 and 17 February, Mozambique recorded 5,661 cholera cases and 71 deaths, most occurring outside health facilities.
The hardest‑hit provinces are Nampula (2,445 cases) and Tete (2,141 cases) although isolated infections have also been detected in Maputo’s KaTembe district and Chicumbane in Gaza.
To curb the spread, Mozambique has secured 3.5 million cholera vaccine doses for deployment in the four worst‑affected districts – Tete city, Moatize, Erati and Nacala‑Port.
Multi‑disciplinary teams have been dispatched to coordinate emergency response and prepare for mass vaccination.
Mozambique is highly susceptible to cholera, with outbreaks frequently linked to flooding, poor sanitation infrastructure and population displacement
The country has experienced repeated cholera waves over the past decade, often following cyclones and seasonal rains.
AP