Government has urged Zambians to strictly adhere to health and hygiene practices to prevent a cholera outbreak, which claimed over 100 lives last year. Government says despite last year’s cholera outbreak being declared over, the risk factors are still prevalent.
This is contained in a statement issued  by the Office of the Vice-President.

“Drawing from the cholera outbreak during the 2017/2018 rainy season, the general public should strictly adhere to all the health and hygiene practices that the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders have been advocating such as washing of hands with soap,” the statement reads. Lusaka City Council and other local authorities countrywide have been directed to intensify garbage collection and solid waste management to prevent water-borne disease outbreaks.

The office has also directed stakeholders mandated to identify cholera risk factors to expedite their prevention and preparedness measures. “The Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company is directed to speed up the ongoing emergency works of expanding the network for the provision of safe and clean drinking water in Kanyama and other areas,” the document reads. And the office has said Lumumba Market on Simon Mwelwa Lane is at 60 percent completion while the small market is at 30 percent.

The markets are expected to completed before the onset of the rainy season. “Government is doing everything possible to ensure that better, safe and more resilient infrastructure for markets is developed. To achieve this, there is need for concerted efforts and co-operation by all stakeholders,” reads the statement