Cholera cases reach 16, as fears mount over spread to other parts of Zambia

Cholera cases have reached 16, as fears mount the disease could spread to most parts of Zambia amidst the ongoing internal and external outbreaks and torrential rains.

As of Thursday, Zambia recorded a total 16 new cases, eight in Vubwi, four in Chipata and four in Mwansabombwe.

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo, said eleven people, nine in Vubwi and two in Mwansabombwe, had been discharged leaving nineteen 19 in admission.

“Those in admission including two in Mwansabombwe, five in Vubwi, and 12 in Chipata are all in stable condition. We did not record any death so our death toll is at two cumulatively.

“We have managed to administer 23,459 doses of oral cholera vaccine in Vubwi District. We encourage everyone including those vaccinated before to continue to adhere to the prevention measures,” Masebo said in her update on cholera on Thursday in Lusaka.

She stated that the risk of cholera spreading to more parts of the country was looming amidst the ongoing internal and external outbreaks and torrential rains.

Masebo pointed out that drinking contaminated water from unprotected wells, boreholes, and standpipes as one of the causes for cholera.

“Water can also be contaminated during transport or supply, or during storage (for example, by contact with hands soiled by faeces);

“Additional sources of contamination include bodies of people who have died of cholera, including during burial ceremonies where corpses are touched or where food is shared,” Masebo said.

She therefore urged members of the public not to buy food for immediate consumption from the street or any other places with poor sanitary conditions.

She also urged members of the public to avoid long stay in large gatherings such as funeral, weddings, pubbing and other social events.

“Ensure to drink and use clean and safe water to brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, as well as when making ice or beverages. Water can be made safe by either boiling it or adding chlorine.

“Wash your hands often with soap and safe water before, during, and after preparing food. Wash your hands often with soap and safe water before, during, and after using the toilet,” Masebo said.

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