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Zambia has recorded another 10 deaths from 431 cholera cases reported countrywide in 24 hours, as 1.6 million doses of vaccines arrive.
Health Minister, Sylvia Masebo, said the new cases were distributed among six provinces with Lusaka recording the highest.
She added that 381 were recorded in Lusaka, 31 in Central Province, one in Eastern Province, 12 in Southern Province, one in North-western and five in the Copperbelt.
She said this when she addressed the media on the cholera situation in Lusaka on Sunday.
“We are glad that Luapula continues to report no cholera case since this current outbreak and we continue monitoring and intensifying the prevention measures there too,” she said.
On the number of recoveries in 24 hours, Masebo announced that 388 patients from the various treatment centres were discharged leaving 859 cholera patients in admission across the country.
“We have recorded a total of 11 deaths in the last 24 hours, a further decrease from yesterday when we recorded 18 deaths. Of these, nine deaths happened in Lusaka Province and two in Central province,” she stated.
The minster expressed worries over the continued Brought in Dead (BID) cases, adding that eight of the 11
deaths happened in the community and BID while three died in the cholera treatment facilities.
In a bid to further fight the outbreak, the Ministry is set to receive cholera vaccination doses which will be handed over on January 15, 2024 from World Health Organisation and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
“These doses are in the process of arriving in the country in several batches and about 1.6 million doses is expected to have arrived by this evening,” she told the media.
She said the Ministry would conduct vaccinations prioritising the hot spots in Lusaka Province.
“The vaccinations will be conducted in a phased approach targeting people aged one year and above. Selected communities under Kanyama, Matero, Chipata and Chawama areas in Lusaka as well as Rufunsa district will be targeted for this vaccination exercise based on quantity of vaccines expected, high risk of transmission areas,” she highlighted.
Meanwhile, an extended hand from the Cabinet has seen an endorsement of the Statutory Instrument No. 5 of 2024 – The Public Health Act (Laws, Volume 17, Cap. 295) to enhance cholera control and preventive measures.
“With the amendment for 2024, we have introduced a clause that prohibits the entry of bedsides into the cholera treatment centres. This is in addition to stringent measures regarding the safe burial of cholera suspects.
“In addition, at religious gatherings people are expected to give public health messaging and keep a record of the messaging that has been given,” she emphasized.
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