The Outbreaks of Cholera in Zambia-How Far from Eradication?

Cholera is a preventable and curable disease that is caused by the toxigenic bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, serogroups O1 or O139. The disease causes more deaths in children and is caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Moreover, various factors such as poverty, stunted economic development and poor sanitary facilities contribute to the outbreak of the disease especially in the third world countries. The outbreaks of the disease have been occurring in Zambia for the past four decades. However, due to several awareness campaigns and strategic measures toward the prevention of cholera, Zambia has seen the reduction in the numbers of recorded cases and mortality rates. Despite stringent measures implemented by the government and other cooperating partners, sporadic outbreaks have continued to terrorize various parts of the country. Moreover, the commonest strain associated with outbreaks in Zambia is Vibrio cholerae O1, serotype Ogawa, biotype E1 Tor which has been reported with resistance to commonly utilized antimicrobial agents such as chloramphenicol, furazolidone, nalidixic acid, tetracycline, doxycycline, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin. Therefore, understanding the outbreak pattern of cholera, identifying factors that elicit the outbreaks and the spread of drug resistance may help in choosing appropriate intervention strategies to eradicate the disease. Most outbreaks have been associated with drinking contaminated water from open shallow wells. Thus, improving access to safe water, hygiene promotion and sanitation, making use of Oral Cholera Vaccines as a disease control plan and reinforcing disease surveillance, can help eradicate cholera in Zambia.

Keywords: Vibro cholerae, Cholera, outbreaks, Zambia.