MINISTRY of Health has disclosed that 335 cases of Anthrax and four deaths have been recorded in six provinces.

The affected provinces are Southern with 269 cases, Western 19, Eastern 30, Lusaka 13, North Western 1 and Muchinga with 3 cases.

Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo said a 12-year-old boy from Muchinga is among the victims that have succumbed to the disease.

Ms Masebo said this when she gave an update on the events threatening the public health security in the country.

“A cumulative 335 cases and four deaths have been reported across the country in the following provinces Southern, Western, Eastern, Lusaka, North Western and Muchinga,” the minister said.

Ms Masebo warned the public against consuming meat from unknown sources.

She said meat should be bought from designated butcheries to prevent the spread of the disease.

Ms Masebo said the ministry has also implemented measures to contain and prevent the spread of Anthrax.

She said reorientation of staff on disease identification and management to ensure early diagnosis and treatment among other measures.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 1st November, 2023)

MINISTER of Health Sylvia Masebo has told parliament that 26 confirmed cases of cholera have been recorded in Lusaka.

Ms Masebo said the ministry has also recorded two cholera deaths.

She explained that on August 18 the public was informed that a case of cholera was reported in Kanyama area.

Ms Masebo said as of October 25 health facilities noted a few more cholera cases in Lusaka.

She said this in a ministerial statement on the cholera outbreak situation in Zambia.

“To date there have been 26 confirmed cases of cholera in Lusaka and we are deeply saddened to report that two lives, one which occurred in the community, have been lost as a result of this outbreak. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families affected by this,” the minister said.

She said health workers are working in the community to ensure that cases are identified and managed on time.

Ms Masebo said the Government is also distributing chlorine for household use and environmental decontamination among other measures to prevent the spread of the outbreak.

(Mwebantu, Friday, 27th October, 2023)

THE country has recorded one confirmed case of Cholera from a female of Kanyama township aged 21-years-old, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has announced.

Ms Masebo says the case was presented on Saturday, October 14th, where the girl had acute watery diarrhea and was vomiting.

Ms Masebo said the girl presented in shock, but was successfully resuscitated through rapid response.

Ms Masebo said the cholera case was as a result of a community death that is alleged to have been linked to the case.

The health Minister has since sent out alarm to then citizenry advising that proper hygiene standards are followed.

“We recorded our first confirmed cholera case in Lusaka on October 15th, 2023. The. Ass was a female aged 21 who presented at Kanyama hospital on October 14th with acute water diarrhea and vomiting. She presented in shock and was successfully resuscitated. Rapid response was taken and where able to identify a community death that is alleged to have been linked to the index case,” she said.

She has since sent out alert advising members of the public to practice sanitary and hygiene practices.

“There is need for heightened hygiene practices, good hand hygiene, before and after food, safe water practices. People should consume boiled and or chlorinated water, sanitation measures, food safety, do not eat cold water,” she said.

Ms Masebo reiterated that Government remains committed to bringing the outbreak under control as they seek to control any other outbreak.

She said the health teams are ahead in action and working hard to contain the spread.

Ms Masebo added that this year, Government has successfully managed cholera in Eastern, Northern and Luapula provinces since January.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 18th October, 2023)