Cholera Outbreak Spreads Across Zambia, 2148 Dead Already

 

Cholera Outbreak Spreads Across Zambia, 2148 Dead Already

 Cholera, which broke out in October last year in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, has now been reported spreading in other parts of the country.

A Chinese News outlet China News has warned that authorities in Zambia should quickly put in place adequate measures to contain a cholera outbreak as prolonged outbreak may have negative implications on the country’s economic prospects.

According to figures from the Ministry of Health, cumulative cholera cases have now reached 2,148 countrywide, with the country’s capital accounting for 2,091 of the cases and 51 deaths.

“The government has responded swiftly by closing markets, banning street vending and suspending transportation of farm produce to the capital while some fast food outlets have also been affected.

Among the closed markets is Soweto Market, a leading farm-produce distribution center situated south of Lusaka’s central business district.

Many traders involved in small businesses in the city have been affected as they are not allowed to trade in markets and along the streets of the central business district”, CN said.

It reported that on Thursday, authorities closed several food outlets in Lusaka after investigations revealed that their food had traces of vibrio cholera.

While commending the government for the measures put in place, Yusuf Dodia, chairperson of the Private Sector Development Association, said the economic prospects may be affected if businesses remain closed over a long period of time.

“Of course this is not good for business because there is no trading and if this continues, obviously it has implications,” he told Xinhua.

He added that already some neighboring countries have expressed concern on the cholera outbreak and have put stringent screening measures on Zambian traders involved in cross-border trade which was also not good for the country.