To mitigate the spread of cholera, four government ministers in Zambia, spearheaded by Health Minister Sylvia Masebo, have received the cholera vaccine. The vaccination took place in George township, located in the capital city of Lusaka, following the donation of 1.7 million doses by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Since October, the disease has claimed the lives of nearly 400 individuals, prompting intensified efforts to address the crisis.
Speaking at the launch of the vaccination campaign, Minister Masebo conveyed optimism about the decreasing number of cases, emphasising the importance of redirecting individuals to hospitals rather than treating them at home.
The primary focus of the vaccination drive is on the cholera hotspots within Lusaka, a city with an estimated population of three million, she added.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Minister Masebo revealed that within the last 24 hours, Lusaka recorded 23 deaths, predominantly among children under five years old and elderly individuals.