Zambia Launches Vaccination Initiative in Cholera-Impacted Region

Lusaka, Jan 9 (NationPress) A cholera vaccination initiative aimed at 191,153 individuals has commenced in a northern Zambian region due to recent outbreaks.

As reported by state media on Wednesday, the cholera vaccination campaign in Nakonde district commenced on Tuesday, focusing on individuals aged one and older, with 200,000 doses received, according to District Health Director Philip Munkonge.

"We are optimistic that the vaccine's administration will be effective, allowing individuals to develop immunity against the disease," Munkonge was quoted as stating by the Zambia Daily Mail.

He mentioned that public awareness campaigns were conducted, and all necessary preparations were completed to ensure effective vaccine administration.

Additionally, 781 shallow wells in areas vulnerable to cholera have been treated to guarantee access to clean water.

The cholera outbreak in the district began in December, with 17 cases reported to date. All affected patients have been treated and released, with no new cases documented in the past four days.

This district was one of those impacted during Zambia's cholera crisis from October 2023 through 2024, which resulted in over 20,000 cases and more than 700 fatalities nationwide, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or drinking water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae. It poses a significant global public health threat and serves as an indicator of inequity and insufficient social development. Researchers estimate that each year, there are between 1.3 to 4.0 million cholera cases and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide due to this infection.

Cholera is a highly severe disease that can lead to intense acute watery diarrhea with critical dehydration. Symptoms can appear between 12 hours and 5 days after ingesting contaminated food or water. Both children and adults are susceptible, and untreated cholera can lead to death within hours.