PS Maambo Haamaundu directs his officers to deal with Anthrax, Cholera

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By Fulman Mukobeko

Local Government and Rural Development (Administration) Maambo Haamaundu has directed all the 116 Local Authorities in Zambia’s ten (10) provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern and Western to ensure that they enforce Public Health Regulations fight Anthrax disease, an infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.

Anthrax occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world and people contract it once in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

Mr. Haamaundu has directed local authorities to sensitize members of the public on the need to maintain a clean environment, in view of the reported Cholera outbreak, particularly in Lusaka.

Haamaundu is aware that Anthrax has devastating effects on the lives of the people.

In Friday, 3rd November, 2023 Press Statement circulated by MLGRD
Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr. Chila Namaiko, Haamaundu grieved that a number of deaths had been recorded.

“…A number of confirmed cases of Anthrax in human beings have been reported. So, my direction is that all local authorities must enhance activities around the enforcement of the Public Health Act. As meat products are coming into your jurisdiction, ensure that you inspect the certificate of origin and also certify that the meat is fit for consumption or otherwise and when that meat is not fit for consumption, it must be destroyed,” advised Haamaundu.

Secondly, Haamaundu said, it is very important that local authorities “go out there and use whatever means at your disposal be it Mega Phones, be it Community Radio, be it Churches, be it Councilors to sensitize the public and make them aware of the Anthrax outbreak.”

Haamaundu assired citizens and the international community that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is working in close collaboration with all line Ministries and stakeholders in combating the spread of Anthrax, saying if they do not act together, the disease can have some devastating impact on society.

” As Government, we must protect the public, therefore, it is important that this information is made available to the public. So, sensitization becomes very paramount,” Haamaundu said.

On Cholera outbreak in Lusaka, Haamaundu appealed to the Local Authorities in Lusaka and across the country to sensitize the public on the need to maintain the clean environment to prevent the further spread of Cholera.

” Let us ensure that our water is treated, it is chlorinated…it is boiled. Let us ensure that people having used toilets wash their hands. So, in short let us maintain high levels of hygiene,” Haamaundu emphasized. – Kwilanzi Newspaper Zambia 🇿🇲 (KNZ)

PRESS STATEMENT
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

Friday, 3rd November, 2023

REINFORCE SURVEILLANCE MEASURES TO CURB FURTHER SPREAD OF ANTHRAX, COUNCILS DIRECTED

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has directed all Local Authorities countrywide to heighten inspections and enforce the Public Health Act to contain and prevent the further spread of Anthrax.

The Ministry has further directed the Local Authorities to collaborate with all necessary stakeholders through their health departments to ensure adherence to public health regulations, particularly, in respect to meat.

The Country has recorded an increase in cases of anthrax. As of Wednesday, this week, the number of people infected by anthrax had risen to 335 countrywide, with Southern Province recording the highest number of cases at 269. Two deaths have also been recorded in the Province.

Permanent Secretary (Administration) Mr. Maambo Haamaundu reiterated the importance of heightened inspections by the Local Authorities to ensure that meat traders have their products certified by health inspectors to avoid exposing consumers to the deadly disease.

“All Local Authorities, through their health departments, are hereby directed to enforce the Public Health Act in order to contain and prevent the spreading of Anthrax, which has a devastating effect on human health,” Mr Haamaundu stated.

The Permanent Secretary also cautioned the public to avoid buying meat products from undesignated traders, especially ready-to-eat meat.

“In light of the Anthrax outbreak, we implore members of the public to buy meat from traceable sources. We cannot afford the risk of buying meat or meat products from unknown people who cannot be traced,” he stated.

He stressed that the Ministry would continue collaborating with key line-ministries and other stakeholders to enhance surveillance and public sensitisation to educate the public on the importance of adhering to health measures.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary has further directed Local Authorities to enforce all necessary By-Laws or regulations to curb the Cholera outbreak reported in some parts of the Country.

“Go out there, use mega phones, community radio stations, fliers or use any tools at your disposal to raise public awareness,” he said.

Mr Haamaundu also appealed to the public to observe necessary hygiene practices such as keeping their environment clean and regularly washing hands with soap and clean water after using the toilets and before handling any food.

Issued by:

Chila Namaiko (Mr)
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
Contact: +260977223724