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Tuesday marks the resumption of primary and secondary school classes in Malawi’s two largest cities after an outbreak of cholera that has claimed hundreds of lives.
Blantyre, a school and business district in the capital Lilongwe, was closed for at least two weeks after the Christmas holidays.
More than 750 people have already died from the cholera epidemic that began in March last year.
Both Lilongwe and Blantyre still have significant infection rates.
Health Minister Cumbize Chiponda said schools will now have access to safe water and improved sanitation, which will go a long way in reducing reported infections in schools.
The minister was optimistic that improved sanitation facilities would reduce infections in schools.
Malawi is one of the 31 countries most affected by cholera in the world.
Last week, the government called for international aid as medical supplies were in short supply.
The country has seen high numbers of cholera outbreaks as a result of the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ana and Cyclone Gombe, which last year caused severe flooding and devastated the country’s water and sanitation infrastructure.
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