Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia
US Vice President JD Vance: There is currently no security infrastructure in place to ensure the disarmament of Hamas
Israeli occupation forces said that "ceasefire in Gaza begins to be re-implemented."
Israeli media: 'Israel' to halt entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza until further notice.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One woman was killed and several children were injured as a result of Israeli bombing of displaced Gazans' tents in the Mawasi area of ​​Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted the eastern areas of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Al-Qassam Brigades: Communication has been severed with what our remaining fighters (if any are still alive) in Rafah, which is currently under occupation's control.
Al-Qassam Brigades says continues to abide by ceasefire, no knowledge of developments in Rafah.

Cholera outbreak puts Zambia on alert as fatality rate hits 4%

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 20 Jan 2024 09:05
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The Zambian government extends school shutdown with aims to maintain the spread of infections.

  • x
  • Cholera outbreak puts Zambia on alert as fatality rate hits 4%
    A health worker takes care of patients at a cholera treatment center in Lusaka, Zambia, on January 5, 2023 (AFP)

A major cholera outbreak hitting Zambia since October prompted authorities to extend the schools' shutdown after the recent holidays and to mobilize the National Disaster Management Agency.

In early January, the Zambian government declared that schools, originally scheduled to commence the academic year on January 8, would now commence on January 29. Parents and students were encouraged to utilize educational programs broadcast on public television and radio, drawing parallels with the measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more: Infectious diseases ravage through the Gaza Strip: OCHA warns

With 412 people dead and more than 10,413 infected cases recorded, the government transformed a large soccer stadium in the capital into a treatment center and opened up a mass vaccination program. It also said it is providing 2.4 million liters of clean water per day nationwide.

The majority of cholera cases are concentrated in the capital city of Lusaka. This stadium-now-health center is currently handling approximately 500 patients simultaneously.

'Devastatingly high number'

Cholera is a sudden-onset diarrheal infection caused by bacteria, usually transmitted through tainted food or water. The condition is closely associated with impoverished conditions and a lack of access to clean drinking water.

According to the Health Ministry, Cholera has been identified in approximately 50% of the country's districts and in nine out of ten provinces. The nation, which has a population of around 20 million, has been documenting over 400 cases on a daily basis.

"This outbreak continues to pose a threat to the health security of the nation," Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said, outlining it was a nationwide problem.

Related News

WHO warns of alarming rise in antibiotic-resistant infections

Cholera outbreak in Sudan affects 113,600+, kills 3000+

The recorded fatality rate was approximately 4% since the outbreak three months ago. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) described the fatality rate as "a devastatingly high number." Upon treatement, the infection has a death rate of less than 1%.

Not the first Zambian outbreak

Cholera outbreaks have occurred recently in several other Southern African countries, such as Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. UNICEF has reported that Southern Africa has witnessed over 200,000 cases and more than 3,000 fatalities since the beginning of 2023.

In the previous year, the World Health Organization (WHO) disclosed that approximately 30 countries worldwide, including African nations like Nigeria and Uganda, experienced significant outbreaks in recent years.

Read more: WHO announces 18mln malaria vaccine doses for African countries

Zambia has experienced numerous significant cholera outbreaks since the 1970s, but according to Dr. Mazyanga Mazaba, the Director of Public Health Policy and Communication at the Public Health Institute, the current outbreak is the most severe in the past two decades in terms of the number of cases.

According to the Zambian Public Health Institute, 229 infected individuals passed before being admitted for treatment.

Water is the perfect medium for Cholera

The cholera bacteria can thrive for extended periods in warmer climates, and recent outbreaks in southern Africa have been exacerbated by unusually heavy rainfall and storms, according to experts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported last year that while poverty and conflict continue to be the primary factors driving cholera, climate change has played a role in the disease's increased prevalence worldwide since 2021, as it has led to more frequent and intense storms.

Read more: World remains vulnerable to new devastating pandemic: US report

In Zambia, heavy rains and sudden floods have transformed certain neighborhoods into waterlogged or soggy areas.

The health ministry said the country had received from the WHO around 1.4 million oral cholera vaccines, with 200,000 more expected to be delivered soon.

  • World Health Organization
  • Climate change
  • Africa
  • Zambia
  • Cholera
  • UNICEF

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025
2K Palestinian detainees freed, defy occupation with mass welcome

2K Palestinian detainees freed, defy occupation with mass welcome

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Russian banks begin accepting Iranian LCs to boost bilateral trade
Economy

Russian banks begin accepting Iranian LCs to boost bilateral trade

IOF admit to the killing of two soldiers in Gaza
Politics

Israeli occupation forces says two soldiers killed in southern Gaza

President Donald Trump attends a lunch with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Politics

Trump: No Gaza troops, no more arms to Ukraine, tariffs on China

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a meeting with ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Politics

Iran-China-Russia alliance to counter EU snapback move: Tehran

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS