Fresh cholera outbreak reported in northern Zambia

LUSAKA, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Fresh cholera cases have been reported in northern Zambia, barely two months after the government declared the waterborne disease had been contained, health authorities said on Thursday.

Kennedy Lishimpi, permanent secretary for technical services in the Ministry of Health, said 13 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total to 114 cases and one death since the fresh outbreak began on Aug. 5.

He said Mpulungu District is the hardest hit, with 12 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, while Mbala District has one case.

In a statement, Lishimpi said nine patients were discharged, while 14 remain admitted during the same period.

The government, he said, has since intensified water quality monitoring in all affected areas and commenced oral cholera vaccinations for more than 72,000 people out of a targeted population of 73,615 in Mpulungu, as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.

"The government remains firmly committed to safeguarding public health. With the continued support of communities and partners, we are confident that the outbreak will be effectively contained," he said.

In July, the government announced that it had contained the cholera outbreak, which re-emerged in late 2024, with 496 confirmed cases and nine deaths recorded at that time.

Zambia experienced its worst cholera outbreak between October 2023 and July 2024, with over 23,000 cases and more than 700 deaths. ■