By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with africanews.com
Published on 2024-01-17 16:40:42
Zambia has started administering the oral cholera vaccine, with the first doses being distributed in Matero township, a heavily affected area of Lusaka, the country’s capital. The country has been experiencing a widespread cholera outbreak that has resulted in the deaths of 363 people, with children under the age of five accounting for 30% of the fatalities. Over 9,500 people have been sickened by the outbreak, with Lusaka recording the highest number of cases.
To address the outbreak, authorities have established a main treatment center at the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka and postponed the reopening of schools, which were originally scheduled for 8 January. The government has also received 1.4 million oral cholera vaccines from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and other partners to aid in the response efforts. Minister of Health Syliva Masebo expressed gratitude to the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund for their support in providing the vaccines.
The rainy season in Zambia often leads to heavy rainfall and flooding, which contributes to the outbreak of cholera. Inadequate wastewater management and limited access to clean drinking water in under-serviced areas of Lusaka have also been identified as contributing factors. However, Director General of the Zambian National Health Institute, Professor Roma Chilengi, believes that the epidemic may have reached its peak, as there has been a decrease in the daily number of new cases over the past four days.
It is too early to confirm the decline, but the signs are promising. The 2023/2024 rainy season has brought unusually heavy storms, exacerbating the situation. However, the commencement of the oral cholera vaccine administration and the efforts to improve sanitation and access to clean water provide hope for controlling and preventing future outbreaks.
