CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IN ZAMBIAby Bwalya Bwalya | 03-03-2018 06:40 |
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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. |
