Govt shuts down two markets in Mandevu, Kanyama over cholera fears, as 15 more deaths recorded

Government has closed down two markets in Mandevu and Kanyama due to unsanitary conditions, as the country continues to record cholera cases.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo, named Katambalala market of Mandevu and Kalonje Market in Kanyama both of Lusaka Province.

The minister directed a three day closure of the two markets due to their unsanitary conditions.

Read More: Health Minister, Masebo, reveals some male folk rejecting cholera vaccination, as 2 succumb to COVID-19

“We have closed two markets today for three days so that the owners of the markets together with the area councils should clean the markets,” he said this in Lusaka on Saturday.

Nkombo instructed that the markets would only resume operation after another inspection to ensure cholera guidelines are observed by these markets.

He further banned the brewing of African traditional distilled beverage in communities.

On the cholera situation, Health Minister Syvia Masebo, said the country had recorded 15 Cholera deaths in 24 hours from a total 678 cholera patients country wide.

The minister said in 24 hours her Ministry recorded 390 new cholera cases while 476 were discharged leaving 633 in admission.

She said this when she took surveys in communities around Mandevu constituency with Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

“Lusaka has still remained the epicenter in particular Kanyama constituency,” Masebo said.

The Ministry also revealed that the number of cases indicated a progressive reduction in cholera cases.

She said of the 390 cases recorded countrywide, 288 cases were recorded in Lusaka Province.

“Further, 198 of these were recorded in Lusaka district,” Masebo added.

She said Matero Constituency recorded highest number of 65 followed by Kanyama with 61 cases.

“We are still concerned over the low but sustained number of cases that we continue to see even outside Lusaka province,” she said.

In a post on the Ministry’s Facebook handle, Masebo further indicated the oral cholera vaccination was completed with a total number of 1,808,186 vaccinated in the hotspot areas.

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