Government acts to contain cholera

Zambian authorities are considering tough measures to contain a cholera outbreak which has claimed 110 lives, 80 of them in a treatment centre in the capital, Lusaka. Among the measures being considered is the restriction of movement from areas affected by cholera, and the prevention of large gatherings such as weddings and funerals, Central Board of Health spokesman, Dr Victor Mukonka, told IRIN on Friday. "Since cholera broke out on 28 November 2003, we have had 2,707 cases, with 80 deaths in Lusaka itself. Last night we had 48 new admissions [to the Lusaka treatment centre]," Mukonka said. He added that the total number of deaths from cholera was 110. "We have opened the cholera [treatment] centres in affected areas and mobilised the necessary logistics, drugs and medical supplies. We have put all our health institutions in the country on alert and requested them to reinforce preventative measures. We have also reactivated district epidemic preparedness committees," he explained. In terms of public health education, Mukonka said authorities were "running a series of awareness and prevention programmes on national radio, television and on community radio stations. We are also using a public address system, targeting the affected areas, the markets and the drinking places". Mukonka said the government had "just enforced a Public Health Food and Drug Act to ensure all eating and drinking places - bars, taverns restaurants etc - adhere to health standards. We are in the process of issuing a statutory instrument, which will empower us to restrict movement from affected cholera areas, and also restrict large gatherings such as funerals, weddings etc". "We are also visiting homes affected, and disinfecting. The water quality is being monitored, and we have also embarked on home water chlorination. Now we are soliciting support to distribute chlorine freely to affected areas, and we plan to start water delivery to the affected areas," he said. Mukonka confirmed the temporary closure of the Soweto market in Lusaka in a bid to clean up the area. "We have closed some markets to facilitate the cleaning [of waste], and then we have also challenged the community to play a role, in terms of cleaning their homes and surroundings - avoiding indiscriminate throwing of rubbish, washing hands before eating food and after going to the toilet, etc. [People have also been advised] to avoid eating food from the street [vendors]," Mukonka noted. Apart from these immediate measures, the government was also looking at long-term measures to prevent cholera, such as the provision of clean and safe water to areas which do not have access to piped water. "And improving sanitary conditions and food safety," Mukonka said.