Zambia on high alert over cholera outbreak from Zimbabwe

Zambian Deputy Minister of Health, Mwendoi Akakandelwa, on Friday said his country was on high alert for any possible outbreak of cholera from neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Akakandelwa told journalists on Friday that the situation was serious
but under control, adding that one Zimbabwe national had died at a
cholera centre set up at Chirundu border post, while another was
receiving treatment at the same centre.

In addition, one Zambian woman and her baby who had travelled to
Zimbabwe had contracted the disease and were admitted at a health
centre in that country.

He said the ministry had dispatched health officials to Zimbabwe to treat the woman and her child and return home with her.

In addition, his ministry has imposed strict measures at the country’s three shared border posts with Zimbabwe.

The measurers instituted include a ban on imports of uncertified
foodstuffs from Zimbabwe and the screening of all people entering or
leaving Zambia.

Those exhibiting symptoms of cholera are being treated, while others have been denied entry into Zambia, he said.

The minister, however, ruled out the possibility of the country closing
its borders with Zimbabwe, saying the ministry is satisfied that the
measures it has put in place are sufficient to prevent the deadly
disease from breaking out in Zambia.

APA-Lusaka (Zambia)

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