Devastation caused by Cyclone Freddy has led Malawi face increased risk of a surge in cholera cases that has destroyed water systems and toilets, the health ministry warned Monday.

Malawi was already battling its deadliest cholera outbreak on record when the storm landed last week, causing mudslides and flooding, killing 476 and displacing nearly half a million.

The outbreak, which began last year, infected more than 30,600 people and claimed more than 1,700 deaths.

“With the floods, people’s toilets have been washed away and most people have no access to safe drinking water and the country faced an immediate danger of surging cholera cases,” health services director Storn Kabuluzi said.

After a record-breaking rampage, the storm caused 579 deaths in three southern African countries including Mozambique and Madagascar.

The country was hit the hardest as Freddy triggered floods and mudslides that swept away homes, roads and bridges also causing massive damage to the country’s water infrastructure.

“In the face of crisis and chaos, it is children who are the most vulnerable,” warned UNICEF regional director for eastern and southern Africa, Mohamed Malick Fall.

According to UNICEF, in neighboring Mozambique, the interruption in water, hygiene services and sanitation is driving a rapid acceleration in cholera case numbers.

Flooding and damage caused by Freddy in the two neighboring countries have hampered access to health and other basic services, which will almost certainly exacerbate the cholera outbreaks they are experiencing, said UNICEF.

By Jane Kibathi.