…345,000 vaccine doses ready for Chipata
Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has told the National Assembly that not a single death has been recorded in the Cholera outbreak in Eastern Province, which has spread to five districts.
The minister also disclosed that a vaccination campaign is set to begin in Chipata and the other districts where cases have been confirmed.
In her ministerial statement presented to the House yesterday, Masebo said 85 suspected cases had been reported so far, with Chipata leading with 62 cases. Other cases are in Chipangali, Lumezi, Chadiza, and Mambwe. 83 out of these 85 patients have been discharged from various health facilities.
“After a period of 32 days with zero cholera cases, Eastern Province has reported 85 suspected cholera cases since May 29,” she said.
She explained that in Chipata, Lumezi, and Mambwe, the source has been linked to the consumption of unsafe water and meals eaten at Chipata’s Saturday Market. The sources for the two Chadiza cases have been traced to Lusaka and Mozambique. The Chipangali source is linked to Mambwe.
“Our skilled workforce has saved every life so far in this new outbreak. The response is mainly focused on case management, providing and promoting the use of clean and safe water, and ensuring good sanitation,” she explained.
“We are fortunate to have 2 million doses of the Oral Cholera Vaccine that were earlier donated by the International Coordinating Group for reactive campaigns during previous outbreaks. Chipata District, having received approval for 345,000 doses is set to initiate the vaccination campaign,” she stated.
She said the ministry is expediting the training of district teams to ensure swift deployment and administration of vaccines within the coming days. A due diligence team is already in the district to conduct the necessary due diligence.
She added that while the 2023 outbreak, which began in Lusaka in October 2023, had been successfully controlled, and the ministry’s records indicate a generally well-managed situation, “we observe sporadic cases in parts of Kitwe, Ndola, Kabwe, and Lusaka.”
