Zambia Battles Cholera and Other Outbreaks
The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Elijah J. Muchima MP, has provided an update on Zambia’s public health situation, detailing the ongoing response to cholera, measles, polio, and Mpox, alongside health risks arising from the current rainy season and flooding.
Since August 2025, Zambia has recorded 639 cholera cases, with 614 recoveries and 10 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 1.45%. Cholera has affected 17 districts across seven provinces, with Northern Province—particularly Mpulungu, Nsama and Senga Hill—reporting the majority of cases.
Other affected provinces include Southern, Lusaka, Copperbelt, Muchinga, Northwestern, and Central, while Luapula, Western, and Eastern Provinces have remained unaffected.
Currently, 17 cholera patients are admitted in Lusaka District. Cholera Treatment Centres and Oral Rehydration Points remain operational, and Oral Cholera Vaccination campaigns continue. In Monze District, the Ministry achieved 99.87% vaccination coverage between 6 and 11 January 2026.
On measles, 241 confirmed cases were reported in 2025, with four recent cases in Chiengi District. Polio surveillance remains strong, with no vaccine-derived poliovirus detected. For Mpox, over 2,000 suspected cases have been tested, and 367 confirmed cases have been recorded across nine provinces and 46 districts since October 2024, with response activities ongoing.
Speaking at the same event, Dr Kennedy Lishimpi, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, noted that cholera cases have significantly reduced compared to previous years, dropping from over 700 daily cases in 2023 to 639 cases since August 2025. This improvement has been attributed to increased access to safe piped water, treatment of shallow wells with chlorine, and widespread cholera vaccination.
The Ministry urged the public to remain vigilant, particularly during the rainy season, by using safe water, maintaining good hygiene, ensuring children are fully vaccinated, and seeking medical care promptly.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of all Zambians, promising to provide regular updates as the situation evolves.
