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CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IN ZAMBIA |
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by Bwalya Bwalya | 03-03-2018 06:40 0 |
In October 2017, Zambia experienced a cholera epidemic which claimed the lives of more than 50 people and infected over 2200 people with as high as 100 new cases every 24 hour periods. Cases continued to be reported in January as well as early February 2018.The Zambian government swung into action shutting down markets, restaurants, demolishing illegal street vendor stands and also cleaning various drainages and areas. Later on it banned the gatherings of more than five people and also put in place other sanitation measures.Most of the cholera cases were reported in filthy Lusaka shanty compounds that have no clean running water, no flushable toilets nor a literate population that fully understand hygieneand other practices. Shanties are full of pit latrines that are contaminating shallow wells as well as boreholes sunk nearby.The Lusaka Sewerage Company rose to the challenge and began taking water samples as well as stopping the leakage in the underground water pipes. This is because it is another source of contamination as cholera infested water can enter the piping through cracks in the pipes. Local as well as international organizations donated money, vaccines and other equipment to help stop the spread of the disease. It is for this reason that business areas and institutions have now opened and are functioning normally. Asides that, street vendors have been moved to selected market places. No new cholera cases have been reported in the last three weeks. This brings to mind the importance of environmental sanitation and health. It really does not only makes our environment cleaner, but also prevents the contraction of various diseases and deaths too. We therefore need to take it upon ourselves as youths to take charge of environmental projects.
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3 Comments
Hi Bwalya! It is glad to hear that the cholera epidemic has ended after taking some measures. The action that Lusaka Sewerage Company took after the epidemic broke seems to be a very appropriate one since water is one of the easiest way that spreads diseases. So I totally agree to your point about the importance of environmental sanitation and health. It is not only for the environment but also for preventing casualties from such diseases that are highly contagious. I hope the streets will stay clean through effort from various people! Thanks for the report :)
Posted 07-03-2018 23:19
@Rosa am happy to learn of the measures that were taken in your country
Posted 03-03-2018 17:20
Such problems were faced in South Africa as well and the main areas were the rural settlements having pit latrines close by a drinkable water borehole. The problem has since then been averted by using a practice of fence of broeholes away from livestock and human activities so as to ensure no contamination for instance the '5o day' fence off feneces the borehole off from livestock and only specialists who is qualified and is tested to not have any for of illness may entre to sample a borehole.
I am glad to know that the chlorine epidemic has been diverted. Good report.
Posted 03-03-2018 08:47