THE Ministry of Health in Northern Province has urged the public to strictly adhere to public health guidelines to prevent the spread of cholera in the area.

The call comes in the wake of recorded cases of cholera in Nakonde District in Muchinga Province.

Northern Province Health Director, Ernest Mutale disclosed that health authorities have heightened surveillance efforts to ensure that no cases of cholera are recorded in the province.

ZANIS reports that Professor Mutale said this during a Provincial Cholera Preparedness and Surveillance Meeting held at the Provincial Administration in Kasama.

He recalled that last year, the province reported cholera cases in several districts, including Kasama, Mporokoso, and Mpulungu.

Prof Mutale noted that six districts in the province remain at risk of cholera outbreak due to their connectivity with Nakonde through frequent travel.

He said to mitigate the potential outbreak, the province is focusing on the six pillars of cholera preparedness and has intensified sensitisation programmes to educate the public on preventive measures.

“We are not doing anything new. We urge residents to follow public health guidelines, including safe water consumption, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices, to prevent the spread of cholera,” said Professor Mutale.

Meanwhile, Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu assured stakeholders and residents that local authorities in the province are well equipped to handle cholera cases under the emergency fund component.

Mr Mpundu further stated that the province will continue implementing preventive measures such as waste collection and proper disposal in designated areas to curb the outbreak of the disease.

He further encouraged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with health authorities to safeguard public health.