Lusaka – ZAMBIA has recorded nearly 500 cholera cases, including 15 deaths resulting from the water borne disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
The Health ministry first reported an outbreak of cholera in the capital, Lusaka in September, and WHO statistics show it has spread across the country.
“From 28 September through 7 December 2017, 547 cases including 15 deaths (case fatality rate = 1.8%), have been reported since the beginning of the outbreak. The initial outbreak period was from 28 September through 20 October.
“From 21 October through 4 November 2017 there were less than five cases reported each week. However, from 5 November 2017 an increase in the number of cases was observed with a total of 136 cases reported in the week beginning 26 November,” the WHO said.
The WHO said one third of the cases are children under five years old and two thirds are persons five years and older.
“The sources of infection transmission in this outbreak have been associated with contaminated water supplies, contaminated food, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices.
“The coming of the rainy season, coupled with inadequate water supply and sanitation increases the risk of outbreaks in Lusaka and other parts of the country,” the WHO added.
Zambia battles cholera every year.
In 2010, the highly communicable disease which causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and is lethal claimed over 150 lives, while thousands were infected throughout the country.
