The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have pledged support of one million US dollars for the outbreak of cholera in Namibia's neighbouring country, Zambia.

Namibia, in the meantime, has increased its cholera surveillance.

The Zambian outbreak has claimed more than 440 lives in 47 districts in nine provinces. 

Cholera cases have been reported in SADC member states, particularly in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

A delegation of the Africa CDC paid a visit to Zambia to assess the cholera situation and further conducted high-level engagements with Zambian officials, including the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.

In a media statement, the Africa CDC further pledged to offer support through training and deploying 500 community health workers, the production of awareness materials, the deployment of 150 clinical management staff, and the procurement of medical supplies.

Further, strengthening cross-border surveillance to evade further spread control of the outbreak was also announced as a measure to stop the spread of the waterborne disease. 

Although Namibia has not reported any cases of cholera, the Zambezi regional health directorate has initiated robust disease surveillance.

This is due to the region's geographic location, which shares borders with four countries, namely Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Botswana.

Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Affairs last week said they have put in place measures to curb the disease spreading to Namibian shores.

The Ministry is strengthening the capacity of health facilities and healthcare workers across the country to manage and treat cholera cases effectively.