GOVERNMENT says a lot needs to be done, especially in rural areas on the prevention and control of outbreak of diseases such as typhoid.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala said this called for all stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector to double their efforts and ensure that people have easy access to clean water and sanitary facilities.

He was speaking when he officially opened a one-day second quarter provincial epidemics preparedness, prevention, control and management committee meeting at Luangwa House Lodge in Chipata yesterday.

Mr Mushala said Government was aware that access to clean and safe water supply as well as adequate sanitation was among the major challenges the province was facing.

The permanent secretary said Government had put up drastic measures in upgrading the water supply system in peri-urban areas and drilling of boreholes in rural areas of Eastern Province.

He said this was through Eastern Water and Sewerage Company (EWSC), district councils and the department of housing and infrastructure development.

Mr Mushala said Government, in its quest to address preventable diseases, had introduced, through the Ministry of Health, a new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that would prevent pneumonia and infections of the ear.

He said the vaccine would also assist in the prevention of throat infections and meningitis in children.

"This is being given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. In addition we have also introduced a measles second dose vaccine which is being given at 18 months of age," Mr Mushala said.