
(Lusaka – 14th January 2024)
We have continued to respond to the cholera outbreak which has
affected our people and our communities disrupting several services.
431 new cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours countrywide.
This is slightly lower than yesterday when we recorded 452 cases.
These new cases are from 6 provinces and distributed as follows: 381
in Lusaka Province, 31 in Central Province, 1 in Eastern Province, 12 in
Southern Province, 1 in northwestern and 5 in the Copperbelt.
Western, Northern and Muchinga have 0 new cases today. We are
glad that Luapula continues to report no cholera case since this
current outbreak and we continue monitoring and intensifying the
prevention measures there too.
In the last 24 hours we have discharged 388 patients from the various
treatment centers. This is slightly lower than yesterday when we
discharged 400 patients. We now have 859 patients in admission
across the country, a slight rise from the 821 patients we had in
treatment centers yesterday.
We have recorded a total of 11 deaths in the last 24 hours, a further
decrease from yesterday when we recorded 18 deaths. Of these, 9
deaths happened in Lusaka Province and 2 in Central province. We
continue seeing more people brought in dead (BID) as 8 of these 11
deaths happened in the community and brought in dead (BID). Three
(3) died in our cholera treatment facilities.
Lusaka province and Lusaka district in particular remains the most
affected province. Lusaka district recorded 381 new cases in the past
24 hours. We have a total of 775 patients who are in admission to
various Lusaka-based treatment facilities.
Here at Hero’s Stadium cholera treatment center, as of 06 hrs this
morning, we had a total of 576 patients compared to 524 patients we
had in admission yesterday. 247 are males, 136 are females and 193
are children. 128 were referred to this facility in the last 24 hours. We
also made 130 discharges during this same 24-hour period and
referred 6 patients to Levy treatment center. We sadly lost three adult
patients, including one transferred to Levy Treatment center. This
patient had severe COVID pneumonia with Cholera.
There are an additional 47 patients admitted at Levy treatment center
and 10 stable patients at the cholera center set up for the correction
services at Kamwala Remand Prison.
Cholera Vaccinations
The Government has been working with cooperating partners WHO
and UNICEF to secure Cholera vaccines to add to the ongoing
measures being implemented to control the current outbreak. The
International Coordinating Group recently made a decision to
provide some vaccines to Zambia. These doses are in the process of
arriving in the country in several batches and about 1.6 million doses
is expected to have arrived by this evening.
Following the arrival, an official handover will be done to the Ministry
of Health by our cooperating partners tomorrow Monday, 15th
January 2024. After this the Ministry will finalise the preparatory
processes to begin community vaccinations in selected hot spots in
Lusaka Province. The vaccinations will be conducted in a phased
approach targeting people aged one year and above. Selected
communities under Kanyama, Matero, Chipata, and Chawama
areas in Lusaka as well as Rufunsa district will be targeted for this
vaccination exercise based on quantity of vaccines expected, high risk of transmission areas. The targeted vaccinations and implementation of prevention measures including provision and use
of safe water, observing good hygiene and safe sanitary practices
everywhere else will contribute towards limiting the spread of Cholera
here in Lusaka and countrywide
Members of the Press, ladies and gentlemen,
The number of new cases is still very high. Even as we have continued
to fight cholera in a multisectoral manner, Cabinet has sat and taken
a bold step to sign and endorse STATUTORY INSTRUMENT No. 5 of 2024
– The Public Health Act (Laws, Volume 17, Cap. 295).
The Public Health (Infected Areas) (Cholera) (Amendment)
Regulations, 2024 introduces key provisions to enhance cholera
prevention and control measures.
Members of the Press, ladies and gentlemen,
Allow me to give the details of this SI
The Earlier SI number 79 of 2017 measures were introduced that
allowed public health professionals to dispose of the body of a person
who died from cholera in conformity with public health regulations.
Other measures that are invoked with SI 79 include
1. Prohibition of funeral gatherings of more than 5 people, if the
person being buried from had died of cholera
2. A person who becomes aware or has reason to suspect that
another person has died or is suffering from cholera shall
immediately inform the nearest authorized officer in a local
authority or public health facility
3. Authorized officers may enter any premises to search for a case
of cholera or to enquire if there is a case of cholera
4. Authorized officers may prohibit or restrict trading in or vending
of food in unsanitary conditions – leading to the closure of
premises that do not comply with hygienic practices
5. Authorized officers may order the cleaning or closure of the
public premises or burial of any contaminated water body such
as the shallow wells that the officer determines that a public
premise does not have sufficient sanitation and hygiene to
prevent the occurrence or transmission of cholera
With the amendment for 2024, we have introduced a clause that
prohibits the entry of bedsides into the cholera treatment centres. In
addition, the stringent measures regarding the safe burial of cholera
suspects. In addition, at religious gatherings are expected to give
public health messaging and keep a record of the messaging that
has been given.
Let us adhere to what is outlined in this SI even as we move to protect
ourselves and our people further.
Thank you for your attention, and may we all play our part in ensuring
a healthier Zambia.
[Original Signed]
Hon. Sylvia T. Masebo, MP
MINISTER OF HEALTH