By Peter Davieson

Two people have been confirmed with cholera in Lilongwe and Balaka districts, a senior official in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Bestone Chisamile, has said.

According to Chisamile, one of the cases involves a five-year-old child who tested positive for the disease at Bwaila Hospital on December 5, while the other is a 42-year-old man who sought medical care at Kalembo Health Centre.

Chisamile has urged the public to seek immediate medical attention upon noticing cholera symptoms such as severe diarrhoea, vomiting and excessive thirst.

He warned that cholera is a highly dangerous disease and that delays in seeking medical treatment can put patients at risk of death.

Chisamile further encouraged people to use safe water and wash their hands regularly with soap as one of the key measures to prevent and control the spread of cholera.