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Zambia records 41 cholera cases in February

Xinhua, February 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cholera cases in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, have increased to 41 with one death recorded so far since the water-borne disease broke out early this month, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Ministry of Health acting spokesperson Tasila Pitters said only one death of an 18-month-old female child has been recorded so far, adding that the cumulative number of suspected cases recorded so far were 41 while confirmed laboratory positive cases were 18.

The first case was recorded on February 4 in one of the city's sprawling slams and the official said health authorities have since intensified inspection to contain the disease.

So far 152 public premises, 52 schools have been inspected in the affected area and 97 water samples collected.

According to the official, research conducted in the area has established that the main source of cholera was from contaminated water being used by the community.

The authorities have since distributed 15, 518 bottles of chlorine so that residents could treat their water.

This is the first time in six years that the Zambian capital is experiencing a cholera outbreak. Endit