Announcement of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa on the cholera epidemic in Zambia

Phofo from the post Urgent! The Orthodox Church of Zambia is calling for humanitarian aid for the cholera epidemic in Zambia !

(automatic translation from Greek)

The Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II, was thoroughly informed by the Orthodox Metropolitan of Zambia and Malawi John about the cholera outbreak that plagues Zambia and expresses his sympathy for him, the whole of the African siblings of that country, as well as the communities of the Greeks living there.
Following a warm request from the Orthodox Patriarch to the NGO Mission of the Orthodox Church of Greece, in collaboration with other humanitarian organizations and agencies, humanitarian aid (mainly medicines) is being planned in Zambia.
Warm appeal, to help all of us, in the relief of human pain.

Donations – NGO «Mission», Orthodox Church of Greece
http://mkoapostoli.com/en/donate/#toggle-id-3

Annonce du Patriarcat orthodoxe d’Alexandrie et de toute l’Afrique sur l’épidémie de choléra en Zambie. ( traduction automatique )

Pape orthodoxe et Patriarche d’Alexandrie et de toute l’Afrique Theodoros II, soigneusement mis au courant par l’évêque orthodoxe de la Zambie et le Malawi M. Ioannis, sur l’épidémie de choléra qui ravage la Zambie et exprime sa solidarité avec lui, tout des frères et soeurs africains de ce pays, ainsi que les communautés des Grecs grecs qui y vivent.
Après la demande sincère du Patriarche orthodoxe à l’ONG « Mission » de l’Eglise orthodoxe de Grèce, en coopération avec d’autres organisations humanitaires et les institutions, prévu d’envoyer l’aide humanitaire (principalement des médicaments) en Zambie.
Appel chaleureux, pour nous aider tous, dans le soulagement de la douleur humaine.

DIRECTIONS FOR MEDICINES-SUPPLEMENTS NEEDED BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Orthodox Metropolis of Zambia and Malawi

Severe dehydration – IV FLUID RINGER’S LACTATE
Start IV fluid immediately (100 ml/kg)
Children < 1 year: give 100ml/kg IV in 6 hours, as follows 30 ml / kg in the first 1 hour then
70 ml / kg in the next 5 hours
Adults and Children ≥ 1 year: give 100 ml/kg IV in 3 hours, as follows 30 ml / kg as rapidly as possible within 30mn and then 70 ml/kg in the next 2.5 hours
Monitor regularly and reassess rehydration status
Encourage the patient to take ORS solution (5ml/kg per hour) as soon as he/she is able to drink
Start antibiotic after initial rehydration (4-6 hours)
Maintain hydration, replace continuing fluid losses until diarrhoea stops
Antibiotics in cholera outbreak for Zambia
Antibiotics should be given to ALL cases.
First line drug
For adults: Doxycycline 300 mg (100 mg x 3) – single dose after correction of severe dehydration (except for pregnant women where Erythromycin can be given)
For children: Septrin: 6 weeks - 6 months (120mg B.D P.O); 6 months - 6 yrs (240 mg B.D P.O)
6 years - 12 years (480mg B.D P.O); 12yrs & above (960mg BD PO) for 5 days
Second line drug
For adults: Azithromycin, 1g (500 mg x 2) –
For children: Azithromycin susp. 20 mg /kg –
Alternative drug
Tetracycline 12.5 mg/kg

And

About the spread of cholera in Zambia (January 2018)

About the spread of cholera in Zambia (January 2018)

Orthodox Metropolis of Zambia & Malawi (photo from here)

Govt bans church programs, weddings in bid to contain cholera spread , Forces to Postpone School Year in Zambia and shuts down UNZA
President Edgar Lungu has directed all the three wings of the Defence Force to join the Ministry of Health and Lusaka City Council in escalated efforts to contain the spread of cholera in the city.
Government, through the Ministry of Health, has banned all large public gatherings like overnight prayer meetings, weddings and musical concerts in a bid to contain the spread of cholera.

In a statement today, Ministry of Health Head of Communications and External Relations Stanslous Ngosa stated that banning of large gatherings of more than five people was one of the measures that had been undertaken since the defence forces joined the fight against cholera.
“Below are some of the decisions that have been made to address the problem: 1. All markets (legal and illegal) in Lusaka shall remain closed to facilitate extensive cleanup until certified clean and conducive for trading. 2. Street vending is banned in Lusaka district until further notice to allow for cleaning, garbage collection and unblocking of drainages. 3. No large public gatherings of more than five people (not being family) including church programs, weddings, music concerts, funerals, bars or such occasions shall take place in Lusaka unless cleared by the Ministry of Health of the Lusaka City Council,” stated Ngosa.
He asked members of the public to participate in the cleaning exercise.In a statement today,
Wamundila stated that UNZA would provide transport to all 10 provinces for those without means of getting home.
“Meanwhile, for those who may not have means for returning back to their homes, they are directed to get in touch with the Office of the Dean of Students for details on free transport that has been arranged to take students to all the 10 provincial headquarters,” Mr Wamundila said.
He said all students at both campuses are being directed to leave with immediate effect while staff of the University are being guided to continue operating normally.
Meanwhile, six more outlets including Pizza Hut, Debonair Pick N Pay (bakery) Woodlands, Mika Hotel restaurant and a bakery in Matero have been shut down after food samples collected showed presence of Cholera germs.
Since cholera broke out, Lusaka has recorded almost 2,000 cases with 42 deaths.

Note from here:

We call upon all the Orthodox Churches of the world, in all Orthodox Dioceses in Greece, Cyprus and abroad, in all Orthodox missionary associations, to send to the Orthodox Church of Zambia the appropriate medicines that fight cholera to share in inhabitants of Zambia, irrespective of religion. 

Nous appelons toutes les Églises orthodoxes du monde, dans tous les diocèses orthodoxes en Grèce, à Chypre et à l’étranger, dans toutes les associations missionnaires orthodoxes, à envoyer à l’Eglise orthodoxe de Zambie les médicaments appropriés qui combattent le choléra habitants de la Zambie, quelle que soit leur religion.