(Ecofin Agency) – The cholera epidemic, which has been raging in Zambia since October 2023, has caused more than 700 deaths out of more than 20,000 people infected. Authorities have launched a vaccination campaign targeting 1.5 million people to curb its spread.
Zambia signed an agreement on Monday, October 7, with the Chinese state-owned company Jijia International Medical Technology Corporation for the construction of a cholera vaccine factory.
The factory is expected to be built under a partnership between the Zambia Industrial Development Agency (IDC) and Jijia International Medical Technology Corporation.
The first phase of the project amounts to $37 million.
“The factory is a key step on the path to eradicating cholera, which reduces productivity,” Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said during the agreement signing ceremony.
“We are also sending a signal that Zambia, Africa and the world are capable of working together. Zambia must be seen as a center, as a place of production for a larger market. And if you look at the population of Africa, it’s growing very quickly.”he added.
Mr. Hichilema also said that China will donate about 3 million doses of cholera vaccines to Zambia before the factory begins production.
He also indicated that his country is among the most affected by the resurgence of the disease, recalling that it recorded more than 20,000 cases and nearly 700 deaths during the epidemic wave of 2023-2024.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacillus vibrio cholerae. Its case fatality rate can exceed 6% in communities with low pre-existing immunity, due to low vaccination rates and poor general health.
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01/08/2024 – Faced with cholera, Zambia modifies its school calendar, Zimbabwe maintains its with restrictions
04/19/2024 – Cholera: WHO prequalifies a new oral vaccine that is easier to manufacture in a context of shortage
01/02/2024 – Climate change is behind the increase in cholera epidemics, according to Africa CDC
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