A cholera surge in five Southern African countries is being fueled by severe flooding and displacement, with Malawi among the affected nations, according to the WHO Regional Office for Africa. WHO reports 4,320 cholera cases and 56 deaths were recorded from January 1 to February 15, 2026, across Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, up from 586 cases and 11 deaths over the same period in 2025. WHO says damaged infrastructure and gaps in safe water and sanitation for displaced communities are contributing to transmission. (WHO Regional Office for Africa reports)
Malawi has also stepped up polio prevention after vaccine-derived type 2 poliovirus was detected through environmental surveillance in Blantyre, according to The Associated Press. AP reports that health authorities launched a campaign to administer about 1.7 million doses to children, using schools and door-to-door outreach in some areas, after the virus was found in sewage samples and an outbreak was declared under WHO rules. (The Associated Press reports)