Cholera cases top 3,000 in Zambia

A resident of Mathare slums in Nairobi is immunized against cholera on the first week of the drive that is geared towards curbing the spread of the disease. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Cumulative cholera cases in Zambia have risen to 3,189 since the outbreak of the waterborne disease in January this year as it spreads to more districts, health authorities said on Tuesday.

The disease was discovered mainly in four districts of Lusaka Province, including Lusaka, the country's capital, but has now expanded to other districts in the central part of the country, according to official source.

On Monday, President Hakainde Hichilema expressed sadness over the outbreak of the disease, adding that he was lobbying for Zambia to become a cholera vaccine production hub.