Authorities intercept bus after diarrhoea breaks out among passengers

Health authorities have intercepted an international passenger bus from South Africa to Lusaka after diarrhoea broke out among passengers.
Kafue District Medical Officer, Wyson Munga, confirmed the development to ZANIS, saying Intercape Bus registration number ICG342 GP was intercepted in Kafue where affected passengers were treated.

Dr Munga said the district hospital had attended to 18 of the 31 passengers who were complaining of abdominal upsets.

The medical officer said the Intercape Bus was initially intercepted by Chirundu district environmental officers after a report from some of the passengers.

He added that the bus crew did not adhere to directives issued by Chirundu environmental officers to take the affected passengers to Mtendere hospital for medication but were later cornered at Kafue Bridge check-point and took the patients to Kafue District Hospital.

Dr Munga further said preliminary investigations had revealed that the passengers were given some food and drinks by the bus crew and some samples were taken to Lusaka Food and Drugs Lab for suspected poisoning.

He said the district hospital will establish the cause as soon as results from the lab are out.
Meanwhile, the District Medical Officer revealed that the Intercape bus lacked adequate water supply, disinfectants, soap and tissues.

The patients have since been discharged as they were all out of danger.