Authorities in Africa’s Malawi have suspended the opening of primary and secondary schools in two major cities after a cholera outbreak has so far killed 595 people.
Schools in the capital, Lilongwe, and shopping centers will remain closed for at least another two weeks after the holidays.
The cholera outbreak began in March 2022, but has become acute recently.
Nineteen people died on New Year’s Eve alone.
Cholera is contracted by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
It can affect children and adults, causing severe diarrhea and can kill within hours if left untreated.
Health authorities say the onset of the rainy season could worsen the situation as floodwaters mixed with garbage contaminate water sources.
Lack of proper drainage in both cities is also a factor.
The spread is in almost all the 28 districts of Malawi.
The Africa Center for Disease Control says it is concerned about the rise in cholera deaths in Malawi, which it attributes to patients not receiving timely treatment.
Monday’s announcement has angered some parents who say their children were already on their way to school, which was supposed to reopen on Tuesday.
Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda said the government regrets any inconvenience and that the late advice was only taken in the interest of student safety.
She said the reopening of the school would be delayed for at least two weeks, but further advice would be given.