Cholera death toll rises to nine in Zambia as cases reach 246

Nine people have died from cholera in Zambia since the outbreak began on February 11, 2025, with 246 cases recorded and 224 recoveries, Health Minister, Dr. Elijah Muchima, has announced.

Providing a ministerial statement in Parliament on Friday, Muchima said only one of the nine fatalities occurred in a health facility, while the remaining eight were brought in dead (BID) from communities.

The outbreak has affected Copperbelt, Central, North-Western, Muchinga, and Lusaka provinces. Muchima noted that Zambia had been responding to cholera since its initial outbreak in Nakonde District on December 26, 2024.

“Since then, Nakonde has recorded a cumulative 27 cases, one death, and two active admissions. This progress is due to the collective efforts of health workers, communities, and cooperating partners in combating the outbreak,” he stated.

To curb the spread, the government has set up an 80-bed Cholera Treatment Centre in Nakonde and is conducting contact tracing, door-to-door sensitization, chlorine distribution, and toilet disinfection.

Muchima said safe water supply interventions were underway, with water bowsers and tanks deployed to affected communities.

He also highlighted cross-border collaboration with Tanzania, which is experiencing a similar outbreak, to strengthen response efforts.

Rapid response teams continue to monitor the situation to detect and manage new cases early. Muchima stated that risk communication and community engagement remain critical in controlling the outbreak and promoting behavior change.

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