Zambia has faced an alarming increase in cholera cases since January 2024, with the death toll rising to 700, according to the medical organization Médecins Sans Frontières.
Since the start of the epidemic in October 2023, the country has recorded almost 20,000 cases of infection. Initially confined to the cities of Lusaka and Ndola, the two largest in the country, cases have since spread to all provinces, with the risk of reaching the whole of southern Africa.
Infections have already been reported in neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.
Critics point the finger at the government of President Hakainde Hichilema for its weak response to the disease. A major football stadium in the capital has been transformed into a treatment center.
In January, the Health Ministry launched a vaccination campaign targeting 1.5 million people in areas considered at high risk of transmission.
Cholera is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated water or food. The highest number of recorded cases are in the capital, Lusaka.
It is essential that the authorities intensify their efforts to stem the spread of the disease and protect the vulnerable population against cholera. Paying special attention to water sanitation and general hygiene can help reduce the risk of contamination.
To follow the evolution of the situation and know the latest measures taken by the Zambian government, do not hesitate to consult the articles already published on our blog. Let’s stay informed and mobilized to contain this health crisis.