Publications

On 6^th May 2019, another facility, Isoko RHC, located 29km from the District Hospital reported two cases of acute watery diarrhea and vomiting. One of the cases, a 47 year old female died at the facility while the health staff were trying to resuscitate her. The following day, the facility staff received a report of a 78 year old male who died in the community from acute watery diarrhea and vomiting. Isoko RHC has a catchment population of 12,059 (CSO, 2019). This area has got only one borehole and thus the majority of the people draw water for domestic use from a stream that runs along the length of the catchment area. This is the same stream where agricultural economic activities on a small scale are done especially sugar cane.

The continued increase in the number of diarrheal cases and deaths, despite negative laboratory results, prompted the District Health Office to request for epidemiological and laboratory support from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) through the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

On 23 May 2019, Mpulungu reported 5 new suspected cases, Kampembwa 1, Isoko 0 and Kabyolwe 0 suspected cases. No reported cases from other areas in the district. Mpulungu Township is considered the most affected area with the cholera outbreak in the district with cumulative confirmed cases 40, suspected 141 and 1 death (case fatality Rate=  0.5%).

Outbreak is declining for the last one week with around 5 reported case(s)/ day. However, the aim is to reach to zero cases before the start of the next month.

On 26 May 2019, a total of 5 suspected cholera cases were reported from Chisanza RHC and 3 stool samples submitted to Mpulungu District Hospital for culture. The health facility is located approximately 60km away from the District Hospital along the lake shore. It serves a population of 8,130(CSO, 2019).