Cholera cases in Zambia reach 3,077

LUSAKA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The number of cholera cases in Zambia have now reached 3,077, with Lusaka, the country's capital accounting for the bulk of the cases, health authorities said on Friday.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Kennedy Malama said 70 deaths have also been recorded countrywide since the outbreak of the waterborne disease in October last year, with Lusaka accounting for 65 deaths.

He told a daily media update that the Zambian capital recorded 87 new cholera cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative number of cases recorded so far in the city to 2,927.

He however said 2,664 of the cases have been successfully treated and discharged and that only 182 are currently under treatment in various treatment centers.

He further revealed that 38 of the deaths have occurred in communities because of delays in treatment.

The ministry also recorded three suspected cases of cholera from different parts of the country in the last 24 hours, he added. Enditem