Blantyre District Health Office has urged people to take two doses of the oral Cholera vaccine for effective and lasting protection.

Dr Mirrium Jere Nyasulu, District Medical Officer Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) said they will soon they will launch the second campaign.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with Cholera bacteria.

The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening and a person develops severe dehydration leading to death.

Nyasulu disclosed there were no deaths, 11 people still in hospital, 12 discharges and 17 facilities affected.

The doctor said accumulatively there have been 18 deaths in the district but the authorities are optimistic of winning the fight.

"We are improving in our strategy to manage Cholera in our district and soon we will hear that we have won the fight."

Nyasulu explained some of the strategies include engaging influencers, providing one stock solution, follow up and contact tracing.

The districts is also testing from affected areas, advocacy on food safety and hygiene as well as engaging the Blantyre Water Board and the City Council.

"The government is reviewing how the first round of vaccination went in order to make determinations for the second phase."

She advised people handling patients to immediately take them to the hospital with emphasis they give the person ORS on the way.