THE number of cholera cases in Mpulungu has soared to 90, with the latest four cases recorded on Saturday evening.
Northern Province permanent secretary Emmanuel Mwamba confirmed the development in an interview yesterday, saying the four are currently being treated and observed.
Mr Mwamba said the cholera outbreak was in the process of being contained in the past three days after 86 people were treated for the waterborne disease and discharged.
He said the situation is under control as government has devised measures to effectively tackle the disease.About 52 cases of cholera were initially reported in the district before the number rose to 69 and 81 by Thursday last week.
He said Government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit have continued the distribution of water filters, alongside chlorine for safe drinking water and oral rehydration salts.
Mr Mwamba said government has also continued to run messages on measures to prevent the water borne disease, which can kill within six hours if it is not treated.
“The public messages have continued running and proved to be effective, as people are coming through with diarrhea cases and complications. We are not leaving anything to chance and patients are being placed under observation and treatment,” he said.
He said a comprehensive approach has been devised and that precautionary measures are being undertaken in other cholera-prone areas such as Kaputa and Nakonde.
Mr Mwamba said government is planning to drill boreholes in the long term and construct ventilated improved pit latrines in Mpulungu, Kaputa and Nakonde as an additional long term solution to the cholera epidemic in the areas.
He said communities in these areas are also being encouraged and educated to observe hygienic conditions.
“The cholera outbreak in these areas is largely attributed to poor sanitation and the lack of clean drinking water. Some of these communities are without piped water and they do not have pit latrines. We are encouraging communities to observe hygiene, including proper disposal of rubbish,” Mr Mwamba said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
This indeed sad.
This 18th century disease happening among the the wisest people in the country, shame
Its really a shame that cholera, a water borne disease is still a problem. What is the the government doing about citizens having access to clean drinking water. This should be a basic human right.
Cholera is Nevers Mumba’s fault. He talks too much.
cant wait 4 chorela to hit the street venders of lusaka’s dirty CBD.
BE CAREFUL ABENA LUAPULA.EBOLA IS JUST NEXT DOOR.MR MWAMBA SHOW LEADERSHIP THERE.OR ELSE THE PRESIDENT SHOULD SEND SOMEBODY ELSE THERE?PLEASE DON’T BIT YOUR TONGUE,IT IS A SIGN OF BAD LUCK.CHITAPO CHIMO MUNE.
Cholera! In this day and age! Lets see if PF is a working govt.
ifiko bakamushi
Too much dirt in the provincial sit of govt. These are the standards been exported to Lusaka by Sata.
Hambiwi I dont think the Provincial PS bears the responsibility It should be the Minister of Health.
It is really bad for Mpulungu people and hope the government will stabilize the supply of water at Chambeshi Water.
The only problem is Chambeshi water Company who keep on running without a Board for ages and keep stealing people s money without supplying them with water.
Mr PS why cant you push for the Board to be in place and bring normality to Chambeshi?
The people of Mpulungu deserve good and clean water for we have the world’s 30% flesh water in Lake Tanganika.
Shame on us but its never too later to rise and develope.
Mpulungu people need more clean water in there houses
#10 PROVINCIAL PS CO-ORDINATES ALL GRZ ACTIVITIES BWANA.THAT IS WHY HE IS ALWAYS UPDATING US ON THE SERIOUSNESS OF CHOLERA.DON’T YOU WONDER HE HAS STARTED BITTING HIS TONGUE.THINGS ARE NOT GOOD KU-MPULUNGU.BA MWAMBA CHITAPO CHIMO MBUYA.OR ELSE THE PRESIDENT WILL CRACK HIS WHIP.
48years after independence govt after govt has appallingly failed to address the issue of proper and safe drinking water and sanitation for its people.
We seem to pride ourselves with fire fighting instead of finding permanent solutions to this perennial problem. What a shame!
If our govt is so proud of cholera outbreaks, they can simply add it as the fourth season
As autoridades de saúde da Zambian tem que mundar de politicas porque a outra politica é possivel criarem condições para a sociadade civil nas zonas mais pobres da capital para que os cidadãos tenham higiene pessoal e saúde poblica