Zambia fighting multiple outbreaks in the Copperbelt Province

Zambia faces several health emergencies in the Copperbelt Province, with Mpox, measles, and cholera particularly prominent. After the first reported case in October 2024, Mpox has spread to several provincial districts, including Lusaka and Kitwe, with 15 confirmed cases so far. Meanwhile, there have been 140 cholera cases and several confirmed and suspected measles cases. Africa CDC has reacted quickly to the situation sending a team of experts to the province. They met with Provincial Health Director Dr. Charles Mwulnuna, who highlighted several challenges affecting the local health response, including limited funding and weak surveillance systems. However, he also observed the outbreaks provided an opportunity to strengthen integrated disease surveillance and build a more resilient health system. On their part, the CDC experts delivered integrated technical assistance to local healthcare teams and engaged constantly with them on key aspects like surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement. For the Mpox outbreak, the CDC team provided guidance and distributed surveillance tools and information. For the cholera outbreak, they supported Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, and the enhancement of surveillance data management to lead effectively the outbreak response.
On-site visits exposed critical weaknesses, especially at Mokambo and Kasumbalesa, where the experts found a shortage of personnel and inadequate personal protective equipment. The lack of adequate vector control measures and specialized animal inspection services at border crossings also emerged as a significant concern. During their visit to Kasumbalesa, the epicentre of the cholera outbreak in the province, the CDC team was met by Zambia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Elijah J. Muchima, who praised the efforts of all healthcare workers and partners to contain the outbreak and restore normalcy. After the conclusion of the field mission, Africa CDC confirmed its commitment to targeted training of healthcare workers in high-risk districts and, together with the WHO, remarked the potential danger posed by Zambia’s outbreak to neighbouring countries due to the persistent lack of adequate surveillance measures at border crossings.