The Cholera Outbreak, Hygiene in Zambia
By Michelo Maunga The country is in the grips of yet another Cholera outbreak. As at yesterday (8 th January 2024), some 200+ new cases were recorded. Presently, Lusaka is the epicenter of the pandemic, with the spread continuing to other parts of the country. As has been the case in recent history, the commencement of the rainy season seems to coincide with the onset of this deadly disease’s onslaught on our society. This begs the question as to how, as Zambians, we have made ourselves vulnerable to cholera, which comes, primarily, as a result of poor hygiene? Seen in light of sanitation levels in Lusaka, it is no surprise that we have made an acquaintance with this detestable illness. One cannot walk our streets without laying eyes on over-filled refuse bins and all manner of garbage lining our city. Many members of our society seem content with discarding their trash indiscriminately, even when in close proximity to a litter bin. As more people do the same, this trash accumul