By 
The cholera containment and Mpox preparedness activities in Machinga District marked a critical intervention in safeguarding public health following the cholera outbreak declared on 10 September 2024.
With funding support from the French Government, the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted targeted training and supportive supervision to strengthen the district’s outbreak response and preparedness systems.
Machinga District, located along Lake Chilwa, faced unique challenges that made it particularly vulnerable to cholera outbreaks. Key drivers of the disease in the area include poor sanitation, inadequate access to safe water, a lack of proper toilets, and the consumption of contaminated food within households.
The district has been reporting sporadic cases since November 2024, within Machinga District Hospital’s catchment area. These cases highlight the ongoing risk of transmission and the need for sustained vigilance in containment activities in neighbouring districts to control the spread effectively.
District coordination meetings brought together health officials, including members of the District Health Management Team (DHMT) and District Rapid Response Teams (DRRT), to assess cholera response strategies and integrate Mpox preparedness plans.
These meetings also provided a platform to disseminate the Global Taskforce for Cholera Control (GTFCC) guidelines and Malawi’s interim Mpox case management and infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines, ensuring that health officials had access to the tools needed to respond effectively.
At the facility level, training sessions were held at Machinga District Hospital, Ntholowa Health Centre, and Mbanila Health Centre. These were identified as priority locations due to their proximity to Lake Chilwa and their history of cholera cases.
Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) were trained on Case Area Targeted Interventions (CATI), a crucial strategy for outbreak containment. CATI identifies and controls cholera hotspots through targeted case detection, water quality improvement, and community mobilization.
Community involvement was a key focus, recognizing that local-level ownership is essential to breaking transmission chains. Community Outbreak Response Teams (CORTs) were established and trained in catchment areas served by the three prioritized facilities.
Volunteers trained were tasked with raising awareness on proper hygiene practices, safe water usage, and the importance of seeking timely treatment. Water quality assessments were conducted in Kaudzu Village, where contamination risks were identified and addressed to mitigate further spread of the disease.
The training also addressed Mpox preparedness in Machinga, ensuring that the district was ready to detect and respond to potential cases. Through the dissemination of Malawi’s interim Mpox guidelines, frontline health workers and district officials were oriented on case identification, management, and IPC measures.
The success of the cholera containment and Mpox preparedness activities in Machinga District was made possible through the generous financial support of the French Government, whose funding facilitated the implementation of these critical interventions.
The mission’s impact in Machinga is evident in the strengthened capacity of health workers, the establishment of community-based response teams, and improved preparedness for potential Mpox cases.
By engaging stakeholders at all levels, the initiative laid a solid foundation for ongoing cholera containment and emergency preparedness efforts in the district. Moving forward, continued collaboration, resource mobilization, and community engagement will be essential to ensure that Machinga remains resilient in the face of health emergencies, protecting the lives and well-being of its people
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