Zambia is in talks with the World Health Organisation and other partners on acquiring cholera vaccines as the waterborne disease rages on in the southern African nation.

State media reported on Wednesday.

Roma Chilengi, director-general of the Zambia National Public Health Institute, said the government has been in talks with the WHO on cholera vaccine acquisition, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation quoted him as saying.

He said if all went well, the country could have the vaccine before the end of this month.

He added that the government’s long-term objective is to have local production of the vaccines.

Zambia has been battling a cholera outbreak in a few districts since January last year.

According to Ministry of Health figures, there was a fresh outbreak in October, which has seen an escalation of the disease, with cases reported in 16 districts in six of the country’s 10 provinces.

In the past 24 hours, the country recorded 257 new cases and 16 deaths, while 186 people were discharged.

Four hundred fifty-five people have been admitted to various treatment facilities. 

(dpa/NAN)