Three people have died while 10 others were treated for suspected food poisoning in Kalaba area of Kaputa District.
In an interview with ZANIS, Acting Kaputa District Health Director Jonathan Bwalya said the incident happened last week in Kalaba area.
Dr. Bwalya disclosed that the victims were initially isolated on suspicions that they had contracted cholera but investigations showed that it was a case of food poisoning.
He explained that the three deceased were brought in dead while the other victims were taken to Kalaba Cholera Centre where they were treated and later discharged.
He stated that the department is still doing more investigations and has taken the food sample for further analysis to determine the type of poisoning.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bwalya disclosed that the district has not recorded any case of cholera despite some cases that were recorded in the neighbouring districts in Nsama.
And Northern Province Public Health Specialist Paul Mayeya commended Kaputa District Health Office for being prepared to fight any outbreak of cholera.
Dr. Mayeya said the response that the district has put in place is top notch and is confident that it can combat any case.
He emphasised the need for the district to continue on the trajectory especially that it is bordering areas that are prone to the cholera pandemic.
Earlier, Northern Province Health Director Enerst Mutale disclosed that Kaputa District Health Office has been piloted for devolution.
Dr. Mutale said the process will result in some of the services under the ministry taken to the local authority.
He added that the ministry will depend on the results of the devolution process in Kaputa to implement in other districts
