Sun, 11 Jun 2017 11:52:51 +0000
By LINDA SOKO-TEMBO
ABOUT 300 cases of typhoid have been recorded in Mpika and Lusaka district due to filthy conditions, Ministry of Health Spokesperson Kennedy Malama has disclosed.
Speaking during a media briefing, Dr. Malama said Mpika has recorded a total of 162 confirmed cases of typhoid and that two patients were undergoing treatment.
He also mentioned that about 138 cases of typhoid have been recorded in Lusaka’s Kalingalinga compound and that one patient was still undergoing treatment.
“We have continued to provide messages to the people and also provide liquid chlorine to disinfect the wells and the toilets in the affected areas,” he said.
Dr. Malama explained that typhoid was a disease that people could prevent by ensuring that they drank boiled water or added chlorine to it. He urged the public to ensure that personal and community hygiene should be embraced Dr. Malama also disclosed that about 82 cases of cholera had been reported in Chiengi district of Luapula Province but that he was pleased to inform the public that no death had been recorded.
“I am pleased to inform the public that Chiengi has been declared cholera free, many thanks to the people of Chiengi and Nchelenge district for responding to the key messages and guidance from the Ministry of Health,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Malama clarified that no cases of Ebola have been recorded in Zambia and that the Ministry was on high alert to ensure the disease was prevented from reaching Zambia. “Ebola has only been recorded in Congo and so far 14 cases have been confirmed and only 4 patients have died from the epidemic,” he said.
Dr. Malama also said that the 980 deaths that Lusaka City Council (LCC) UTH burial office recorded within three weeks had nothing to do with UTH. “The 980 deaths which were reported by LCC were gotten from the LCC UTH burial permit office and not that the people had died at UTH,” clarified Dr. Malama.
