Zambia says it has made progress in containing a cholera outbreak that has killed about 70 people in the southern African nation since October.

Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya this week said there had been a “drastic reduction” in the number of new cases in the outbreak, which has mostly affected the capital, Lusaka. He says the provision of fresh water and other preventive measures are being taken.

The World Health Organization is assisting with the vaccination of Lusaka residents against cholera.

Last week, the military moved in after some residents in a densely populated Lusaka slum rioted over the removal of market vendors, a measure designed to curb the disease.

Cholera is caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and can kill within hours if untreated.

 
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