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Zambia: Cholera Outbreak - Nov 2004

Status
Past
Countries
Zambia
Disaster types
Epidemic

In Zambia, cholera outbreaks are frequent during the rainy season, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The year 2004 was no different: two confirmed and 20 suspected cases of cholera occurred in Lusakam,13 cases in Sinazongwe; of these, two patients died. There were also unconfirmed reports of cholera cases in Kabwe and Choma districts. The outbreaks occurred in poor, high-density, peri-urban areas with unsafe water supplies, inadequate sanitation and poor hygienic conditions, and the rains exacerbated these conditions and sparked the outbreak. Thanks to joint efforts by the Government and its partners, proactive measures to prevent recurring outbreaks were taken. (IFRC, 25 Nov 2004)