Zambia records 174 cholera cases, two deaths as outbreak spreads across border

Zambia has recorded a cumulative total of 174 cases of cholera, with two deaths, giving a case fatality rate of 1.1 percent, the country’s health officials have revealed.

A total of 156 patients have been discharged, while 16 remain under admission in treatment centres in Mpulungu, Nsama, and Mbala Districts.

Health Minister, Dr. Elijah Muchima, made the announcement in Lusaka on Thursday during a media briefing held at the Ministry.

“The outbreak, which began on August 5, 2025, in Chipwa Health Post, Mpulungu District, has spread across Kasisi and Kipwa in Tanzania and Chipwa in Zambia, highlighting the cross-border nature of this health threat,” Muchima said.

He said the Ministry had confirmed cases linked to travel for a funeral and fish trading in Tanzania, underscoring the need for regional cooperation.

Muchima stated that the government, through the Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute, with support from partners, had scaled up interventions across all response pillars.

“Cholera Treatment Centres are operational, surveillance is being strengthened, households are receiving chlorine, water quality monitoring is ongoing, and communities are being sensitised through churches, markets, schools, and door-to-door visits,” he said.

Muchima announced the successful deployment of the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign in Mpulungu, achieving 100 percent coverage of the target population.

He stated that the remarkable achievement reflected strong community acceptance and commitment to protecting families from cholera. However, new cases were emerging in areas beyond those initially covered.

“We are preparing to extend OCV to other high-risk areas within Mpulungu, Nsama, and Mbala Districts, with a target to vaccinate an additional 200,000 people in the next two weeks,” Muchima said.

He said while the Mjnistry focused on emergency control, it was also working with partners to strengthen long-term water and sanitation systems.

Muchima stated that the goal was to control cholera by 2030, and that the government was committed to investing in sustainable solutions that benefit our communities.

“We are collaborating with colleagues in Tanzania and strengthening Point-of-Entry screening services to address cross-border transmission in line with the International Health Regulations,” he said.

Muchima noted that despite government’s efforts, challenges remained and that some communities continued to face poor sanitation and unsafe water supplies.

He appealed to these communities to prioritize hygiene and sanitation practices, recognising the need for sustained community engagement and participation in the response efforts.

“I appeal to our communities to practice good hygiene, use chlorine for drinking water, avoid open defecation, seek medical care immediately if experiencing watery diarrhoea or vomiting,” Muchima said .

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