Zambia Intensifies Campaign to Combat Cholera and Anthrax

Zambia is intensifying its health campaign to combat cholera, a disease that has been increasing since October and claimed the lives of nearly a hundred people in the southern African country.

The Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo, has called for more hygiene measures in households and chlorine distribution to disinfect contaminated water in affected regions.

Heavy rainfall has led to five deaths and 111 new cases of contamination in 24 hours, the highest daily total in 2023. Zambia has recorded 93 deaths this year from cholera, most since October.

Zimbabwe, Zambia’s neighbor, has declared a state of emergency.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern at the growing number of cholera cases worldwide, with Africa being the hardest hit.

Zambia is also facing its worst anthrax epidemic since 2011, with 20 deaths and 1,100 suspected cases in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and Zimbabwe as of mid-December.