PHIM Responsive Header
PHIM Logo

Category: Latest News and Events

  • Cholera Situation in Malawi.

    Cholera Situation in Malawi.

    Cholera Situation in Malawi (2026)

    Editorial Team

    Esther Khwima Mkalira • Francis Chimphanje • Mercy Mwalwanda • Pilirani Kanjoka

    Cholera Situation in Malawi

    Published By

    Moses Nyambalo Phiri

    Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM)

    Updated: January 5, 2026 • Source: PHIM Spot Report Issue 7
    Latest Update
    Cholera is a highly infectious diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria and is spread through contaminated water or food. In Malawi, the first major recorded cholera outbreaks occurred in the late 1970s, with repeated outbreaks reported since then, especially during the rainy season. Cholera seems perpetual in Malawi because of ongoing challenges such as unsafe water sources, poor sanitation, flooding, rapid urbanization, and limited access to clean drinking water, which allow the disease to re-emerge frequently.
    Cumulative Confirmed Cases: 16

    Epidemiological Progression

    The trend shows a steady escalation in suspected cholera cases, with cumulative confirmed cases now reaching 16 (including 4 epi-linked) as of January 5, 2026. This rapid rise aligns with the peak of the rainy season, suggesting environmental factors are accelerating transmission. The recent cases in Karonga and Blantyre indicate a geographic spread that requires urgent triage and intensified laboratory surveillance.
    Mayendedwe akusonyeza kukwera kwa anthu amene akuganiziridwa kuti ali ndi kolera, ndipo odwala otsimikizika afika 16 pofika pa 5 Januware, 2026. Kukwera kumeneku kukugwirizana ndi nyengo ya mvula. Odwala amene apezeka posachedwa ku Karonga ndi ku Blantyre akusonyeza kuti nthendayi ikufalikira m’maboma ena, zomwe zikufunika kuonjezera kuyang’anira mwachangu m’malabu.

    Gender Distribution

    Confirmed cases continue to show a disproportionate burden on the male population (approx. 87% of confirmed cases). This trend is reinforced by the latest case in Blantyre—a 57-year-old male. Occupational exposure among mobile men involved in cross-border trade or lake-shore activities remains a primary risk factor.
    Odwala otsimikizika akupitilizabe kusonyeza kuti amuna ndi omwe akukhudzidwa kwambiri (pafupifupi 87 peresenti). Izi zatsimikizika ndi wodwala yemwe wapezeka posachedwa ku Blantyre yemwe ndi mwamuna wa zaka 57. Ntchito za amuna omwe amayenda kwambiri kapena usodzi ndizo zikuwaika pa ngozi.

    Age Cohorts

    The 16-60 age group is the most affected demographic, representing the economically active population. The wide age range of confirmed cases (from 2 to 57 years) indicates that while adults are at high risk due to mobility, community transmission is also affecting younger children in household clusters.
    Gulu la zaka zapakati pa 16 ndi 60 ndilo likukhudzidwa kwambiri. Kuchokera pa odwala azaka 2 mpaka 57, zikusonyeza kuti ngakhale anthu akuluakulu ali pa ngozi chifukwa chakuyenda, nthendayi ikukhudzanso ana ang’onoang’ono m’makomo mwawo.

    Geographic Hotspots (Confirmed)

    Kasungu remains the primary hotspot with 5 confirmed cases, followed by Neno and Blantyre (which increased to 3 cases recently). The detection of a new case in Blantyre’s Chilomoni area (TA Kuntaja) and Karonga (TA Kyungu) underscores the need for localized interventions (CATI) and cross-border vigilance.
    Boma la Kasungu lidakali ndi odwala ambiri (5), kutsatira Neno ndi Blantyre (yomwe yakwera kufika pa odwala 3 posachedwapa). Kupezeka kwa wodwala watsopano ku Blantyre (Chilomoni) ndi ku Karonga kukusonyeza kuti pakufunika kulimbikitsa ukhondo (CATI) komanso kuyang’anira malire.

    Response Actions

    Surveillance

    Active case finding and contact tracing in all affected districts. Strengthening community-based surveillance through Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs).

    Case Management

    Establishment of Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs) and ensuring availability of essential supplies like ORS, IV fluids, and antibiotics.

    WASH / IPC

    Distribution of water treatment chemicals and promotion of handwashing with soap. Ensuring safe disposal of waste in treatment centers.

    RCCE

    Intensifying public awareness campaigns through radio, mobile vans, and community meetings to promote prevention measures.

  • Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) bulletin for Epidemiological Week 37 (September 8-14, 2025).

    Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) bulletin for Epidemiological Week 37 (September 8-14, 2025).

    Malawi Mpox Outbreak Update

    Malawi’s Latest Health Bulletin Confirms 14 New Mpox Cases

    Weekly IDSR Report Highlights Ongoing Public Health Surveillance

    Published by the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) on September 19, 2025.

    A new report from the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) provides a detailed look into the country’s public health landscape, with a significant focus on the ongoing Mpox outbreak. The latest Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) bulletin for Epidemiological Week 37 (September 8-14, 2025) confirms an additional 14 new Mpox cases, bringing the cumulative total to 110.

    Public Health Events in Epi-week 37

    Pictorial graph of notifiable diseases/conditions alerts in Malawi during Epi-week 37

    Notifiable diseases/conditions alerts reported in Epi-week 37 in Malawi (Data accessed on 17 September 2025)

    Outbreak at a Glance

    According to the report, the outbreak continues to be actively monitored, with key metrics updated for the latest week. As of September 14, 2025, the breakdown of cases is as follows:

    • Total Confirmed Cases: 110 laboratory-confirmed cases in Malawi, plus 2 cross-border cases.
    • New Cases: 13 new cases were recorded during Epidemiological Week 37.
    • Patient Status: 84 individuals have been discharged, 23 are currently in isolation, and 2 are lost to follow-up.
    • Deaths: One death has been confirmed since the start of the outbreak, with no new deaths reported in Week 37.
    • Contact Tracing: A total of 1,167 contacts have been identified and are being monitored.

    Affected Districts and Demographics

    The age range of confirmed cases spans from 2 to 75 years. The outbreak has now been reported in 12 districts across the country, highlighting its widespread nature. The districts include Lilongwe, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Salima, Likoma, Nkhatabay, Blantyre, Mzimba South, Ntchisi, Karonga, Zomba, and Chitipa.

    Public Health Surveillance and Response

    The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) is mandated to protect public health through robust surveillance, early warning, and outbreak containment. The IDSR system’s overall reporting stood at an impressive 90.7% for completeness and 83.3% for timeliness on the One Health Surveillance Platform (OHSP) during this reporting period.

    In response to the Mpox outbreak and other public health events, a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach has been implemented. Key measures include:

    • Incident Management System (IMS): The IMS has been activated to coordinate all response efforts.
    • Rapid Response Teams: Functional Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) have been deployed at both national and district levels. These teams are actively engaged in collecting blister swab samples, conducting contact tracing, and following up on cases.
    • Multi-sectoral Collaboration: A “One Health” approach is being utilized, involving the collaboration of both human and animal health workers at national and district levels to enhance disease surveillance.
    • Training and Capacity Building: PHIM has been training the National Emergency Medical Team, surge teams, and frontline health workers to ensure a skilled and ready response force.
    • Risk Communication: The Ministry of Health is actively engaged in risk communication and community engagement activities to educate the public on disease prevention and containment.

    In addition to Mpox, the surveillance system also detected other public health events in Epidemiological Week 37:

    • Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI): 42 cases, 3 deaths
    • Diarrhoea with blood: 718 cases
    • Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI): 83 cases
    • Typhoid fever: 23 cases
    • Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP): 6 cases
    • Maternal Deaths: 5 deaths
    • Meningococcal meningitis: 4 cases, 1 death

    Looking Forward

    The report concludes with specific recommendations for improving the public health response. These include enhancing reporting timeliness and signal detection, conducting prompt risk assessments for all verified events, and strengthening routine immunization programs.

    Read the Official Bulletin →
  • Malawi Delegation Joins Regional Peers for Intensive EIDM Program.

    Malawi Delegation Joins Regional Peers for Intensive EIDM Program.

    Malawi & Regional Delegations (EIDM Program)

    Entebbe, Uganda – August 13, 2025
    by
    Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Memory Ngwira, and Settie Kanyanda.

    A delegation from Malawi has commenced Week 13 of the Mid-Level Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) program at the African Centre for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES), joining colleagues from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda for the intensive 28-week course. The program is designed to equip policymakers and researchers with the skills needed to effectively translate evidence into actionable policy.

    Memory Ngwira -PHIM, and Colleague attanding as knowledge blockers.
    Memory Ngwira -PHIM, and Colleague attanding as knowledge blockers.

    The Malawian team includes policymakers Mary Mwale and Blair Sibale from the Reproductive Health Directorate, alongside researchers Memory Moque Ngwira from PHIM and Suzgika Mirriam Lakudzala from the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome (MLW) Programme. Their participation highlights Malawi’s ongoing commitment to strengthening evidence-based policy formulation, particularly in critical areas like public health.

    The week began with a powerful session on “Gender Inclusion and Diversity in Evidence-to-Policy,” led by Dr. Anna Ninsiima of Makerere University. The session focused on the essential role of integrating gender and diversity considerations throughout the policy process to ensure equitable and effective outcomes.

    The program, has brought together a diverse group of professionals from across the region, aiming to build a network of skilled individuals capable of championing evidence-informed practices within their respective countries. The ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange are expected to have a lasting impact on policy-making across East Africa.