Zambia: The Mayor of Choma District, Javen Simoloka, has disclosed that the district has recorded two deaths from 13 Cholera cases recorded since 26 December, 2023. The number has increased the concern of the authorities.
They assured the people of their commitment to combating the situation.
The administration has been constantly communicating with the people of the district through media channels. Â The Mayor of Choma spoke during a Press briefing on the Cholera situation in the District on Monday afternoon.
Simoloka informed the media that those who died are a 66-year-old individual and a 3-year-old toddler. He noted that 11 of those cases were from the urban parts of the District, with two coming from remote locations.
The cholera outbreak may have been credited to poor hygiene and sanitation issues in the various districts of Zambia. The infection has been known to be caused by the direct and indirect consumption of contaminated water.
The administrations of the various districts of Zambia have been urging the people of the country to follow various preventive measures to protect themselves from the infection. As a part of prevention, the administration is assuring that all the households of the affected areas can access clean drinking water.
Simoloka stated that Southern Water and Sanitation Company-SWASCO has been directed not to disconnect water from households that may have unpaid balances amid the outbreak. This step was taken to ensure that any families who are struggling financially, do not have the added struggle of the cholera infections.
He added that areas such as Zambia Compound and Mwapona would be supplied with water using browsers to prevent locals from depending on Shallow Wells.
Speaking at the same Press Screening, Choma District Commissioner, Gamela Sikaleya, urged residents to practice high hygiene measures.
Sikaleya discouraged huge crowds gathering for more than the stipulated two hours maximum to avoid the spread of Cholera.