Zambia: The Choma Municipal Council has closed down 15 premises in Makalanguzu Market. The authorities have claimed that there was non-compliance with hygiene standards in the now closed down facilities.
The hygiene standards were enforced due to the Cholera outbreak that is affecting several parts of the Country. Choma Municipal Council Public Relations Manager Kameko Manda has spoken about the situation of the municipal council and the shutdown of the businesses in Makalanguzu Market.
She explained the future course of action, saying that the Local Authority will continue inspecting other businesses for compliance. The outbreak of cholera has made the situation extremely critical for the local authorities in many districts of Zambia.
She named some of the places to be inspected as Restaurants, Bars, Butcheries and Fish centres. The administration has been conducting checks to ascertain if they are conducive to continuing business.
Hygiene is a major concern for the people of the country, struggling with the outbreak of cholera in many regions of Zambia. The people of the country have been urging the national-level administration to find a solution to the issue.
The government has been implementing the corrective measures, have procured drugs and vaccines for cholera and have urged the people of the country to maintain hygiene in their surroundings.
Meanwhile, Manda added that the Council has intensified the disinfecting of public places such as bus stations as well as cleaning and unblocking drainages, as a way of fighting Cholera.
She stated that beginning next week, the Local Authority will start burying shallow Wells in conjunction with Southern Water and Sewerage Company to prevent the use of contaminated water.
Meanwhile, District Health Promotions Officer, Betty Phiri, says Choma recorded its first Cholera case in December, 2023, with 3 other confirmed cases in January, 2024.
Phiri states that from tests conducted, it has been observed that the transmission of the disease is from travellers mostly coming from Lusaka.
She warns that cases might escalate if precautions such as drinking and using clean water when preparing food, washing hands often with soap, as well as maintaining a clean environment and personal hygiene are not followed.