Madagascar suspends air, sea travels with Comoros, Mayotte over cholera outbreak
Following the rise in cholera cases in neighbouring countries including Comoros, Tanzania, and Mozambique, Madagascar’s Boeny region announced the temporary suspension of air and sea connections with Comoros and Mayotte.
The city in Mahajanga, Madagascar, made the decision following an official declaration of a cholera epidemic by the Comorian government on February 2, 2024.
The outbreak in Comoros was introduced by a Tanzanian ship according to reports.
After the bacterial conjunctivitis epidemic which occurred in January, the Mahajanga authorities remain cautious, hence this decision. “We are currently facing an epidemic of severe influenza, followed by bacterial conjunctivitis. We cannot afford to be affected by other diseases. We will closely monitor our borders,” Mokhtar Salim Andriatomanga, governor of the Boeny region was quoted by the Madagascar Tribune.
The report further noted that commercial boats are authorised to sail but passengers can only disembark after fifteen days in confinement.
Meanwhile, interim measures have been taken to ensure the disease is prevented. Disinfectant gel has been made available to passengers at the airport and there is increased coastal surveillance to prevent the arrival of illegal ships.
Madagascar’s health ministry and government have put in these measures to avoid the record of any cholera cases.
Cholera awareness campaigns are also being run on social media platforms.
The country’s last recorded cholera epidemic was in 1999 causing 1,300 deaths and 25,000 infections.
