Zambia announces measures to prevent cholera outbreak in prisons

LUSAKA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Wednesday announced radical measures to ensure that cholera, which has broken out in some parts of Lusaka, the country's capital, does not break in correctional facilities.

Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo said the measures have been taken in line with health authorities guidelines to prevent the outbreak of the waterborne disease in correctional facilities.

He told reporters during a press briefing that prisons authorities will not allow food from outside the correctional centers while external movement of inmates has been prohibited as well as transfer of inmates from one facility to another has also been prohibited.

"High levels of hygiene should be observed in all correctional facilities; chlorine, disinfectants and other cleaning materials should be provided to inmates," he said.

He further said screening of all new admissions with particular attention to signs and symptoms of cholera have been intensified while sensitization of officers and inmates on the prevention of cholera have also been introduced.

He said no cases of cholera have been recorded in any correctional facility in the city.

Cholera broke out in the Zambian capital in October last year and so far close to 2,000 cases have been recorded with 48 deaths.

The government has since announced measures to contain the further spread of the waterborne disease in the city, such as banning public gatherings and prohibiting the sale of ready-to-eat food along roads, among others. Enditem