Schools in Malawi’s two largest cities must be closed until further notice because of a worsening cholera outbreak, the government said Monday.
Students returned to class after the holiday on Tuesday.
But the health ministry said the start of school for primary and secondary school students in the capital Lilongwe and the southern city of Blantyre would be delayed for at least two weeks.
Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda said in a statement the postponement was “due to the recent and ongoing number of Cholera cases and deaths”.
The authority regrets “any inconvenience caused by this final advice is only in the interest of the safety of the students”, he added.
The impoverished southern African country has recorded nearly 18,000 cases of the disease and 595 deaths since March in what the UN says is the worst outbreak to hit the country in 10 years.
Cholera is caused by a bacteria that is generally spread through contaminated food or water.
It causes diarrhea and vomiting, and can be especially dangerous for small children.
On New Year’s Eve, Chiponda renewed his appeal to faith leaders to encourage his followers to seek treatment because some were avoiding care on religious grounds.
In September, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that after years of decline, the planet is witnessing a “worrying resurgence” in cholera outbreaks, with climate change exacerbating traditional triggers such as poverty and conflict.
Worldwide, this disease affects between 1.3 million and four million people each year, resulting in up to 143,000 deaths.