By CHILA NAMAIKO –
THE number of cholera cases in Lusaka, where one death has so far been reported in the recent outbreak, has reached 69, with the source of the outbreak being attributed to contaminated water.
Kanyama cholera treatment centre has the highest number of cholera patients standing at 25.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for administration Kennedy Malama said the number had shot up from 37 previously reported on October 12.
“Yes the number of patients has increased, but in terms of their condition, we are describing all of them as being stable. The update as of today (yesterday) is that on our line-list, we have a total of 69 cholera patients,” he told journalists after tour of Bauleni and Kanyama Cholera treatment centres.
Dr Malama said about 70 per cent of the cholera patients were children under the age of five.
At Kanyama cholera treatment centre, there were 25 patients undergoing treatment while at Bauleni clinic only one patient was admitted.
Dr Malama, however, said from yesterday’s treatment of the patients, there was significant improvement as all of them were in a stable condition, citing the children who were able to suck from their mothers, which was a positive gesture.
Dr Malama was confident that from the intensified treatments by health workers, the majority of patients could be discharged by yesterday.
On its part, the Ministry of Health would continue with health promotions and distribution of chlorine for chlorination of drinking water.
Dr Malama advised people to take precautions such using chlorine or boiling water for drinking to reduce the risk of cholera breaking out.
He hailed stakeholders working closely with the ministry to fight cholera, but called for provision of more assistance citing chlorine.
One death, of a three-month-old baby, has been reported so far.
Last year 1,170 cumulative cases of cholera were reported in Zambia from February 5, 2016 of which 192 were laboratory-confirmed with 31 deaths reported.