Zambia intensified its efforts to combat a surge in cholera cases on Thursday, as the death toll for the year approached 100, prompting heightened concern among health officials.
Health Minister Sylvia Masebo disclosed that within a 24-hour period, five fatalities and 111 fresh cases had been recorded, attributing the rapid spread of the bacterial disease to heavy rains.
The national health institute confirmed at least 93 cholera-related deaths in 2023, predominantly stemming from an outbreak that commenced in October.
“Our nation faces a significant health challenge,” Masebo told reporters.
The spike in new cases marked the highest daily count this year, amplifying concerns about cholera transmission, primarily facilitated through contaminated food and water sources.
Masebo highlighted the current outbreak’s fatality rate of approximately three percent as a “grave concern,” significantly higher than the international fatality rate of less than one percent.
Calling for stringent hygiene practices in households, Masebo advocated for increased distribution of chlorine in the worst-affected areas to decontaminate water and public spaces, as stated by Water Minister Mike Mposha.
Cholera’s impact extends beyond Zambia, with neighboring Zimbabwe declaring a state of emergency due to cholera. The UN’s World Health Organization reported over 250 deaths in Zimbabwe since February.
Globally, the WHO expressed apprehension regarding the escalating number of cholera cases in recent years, with Africa bearing the brunt of the crisis. The reported cases surged from 223,370 in 2021 to 472,697 in 2022. By September 2023, the global figure had already surpassed 580,000, according to the UN agency, signaling a concerning trend.
