Zambia receives 1.4 million doses of cholera vaccine after outbreak Amherd meets European Commission President von der Leyen +++ The WEF in the live ticker

Three months after a serious cholera outbreak in Zambia, the southern African country has received vaccine donations. On Monday, the United Nations handed over 1.4 of the 1.7 million promised doses of oral vaccine against the life-threatening disease in the capital Lusaka. Zambia’s Ministry of Health on Monday reported more than 9,400 cases since October, including 418 since the day before. More than 365 sick people have died. Zambia has approximately 20 million inhabitants.

Nine out of ten provinces in the country have been affected by the outbreak. Schools will remain closed at least until the end of January. President Hakainde Hichilema advised city residents to temporarily move to rural villages. Further heavy rains and associated flooding are expected in the landlocked state.

Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which produces a toxin in the intestines. Drinking water contaminated with feces or vomit from sick people, as well as contaminated food, contribute to the spread. Many infections have no symptoms. But in severe cases, the severe fluid and salt loss can lead to circulatory collapse, muscle cramps, and even shock and death within hours.

Cholera is increasing worldwide. In mid-December, governments reported to WHO more than 667,000 cases and 4,000 deaths over the past year. This is significantly more cases than in the previous year, although the figures are not directly comparable due to the different methods and capabilities of the states.

In total, at least thirty countries reported cholera cases last year, nineteen of which were in Africa. The south and east of Africa in particular are experiencing serious outbreaks, including Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Sudan. Afghanistan, Syria, Ethiopia, Cameroon and Haiti were also particularly affected. (sda/dpa)