Health authorities in the central province of Zambézia declared cholera outbreaks in three districts on Monday, with a cumulative 499 people hospitalized due to the disease.

The information was revealed by the provincial health director in Zambezia during a press conference.

"The province has cholera outbreaks in the districts of Gurué, Gilé and Mocuba and until yesterday, November 5, we had a cumulative of 499 patients who needed hospitalization. Fortunately, there have been no deaths in the health units," said Óscar Hawad, quoted by Lusa, adding that of the total number of people hospitalized, 300 are in health units in Gurué, the district with the highest number of cases.

Óscar Hawad also said that teams of technicians had been deployed to support the district of Gurué in the management and follow-up of cases, with the aim of "stopping or limiting the transmission" of cholera as soon as possible, and that treatment centers for the disease had also been set up in the province.

The district of Gurué was the most affected by the torrential rain that hit the province last week, causing five deaths and house collapses, as well as cases of acute diarrhea, the Secretary of State said at the time.

The Zambezian authorities are asking communities to reinforce preventive measures to stop the cholera outbreak.

"Let's boil and purify the water, wash our food frequently before cooking and above all always wash our hands," appealed Cristina Mafumo, Secretary of State in Zambézia.

Cholera is a disease that causes severe diarrhea, which is treatable, but which can lead to death from dehydration if not treated promptly.