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Zambia has reported its second confirmed case of Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, health officials announced on Friday.
Acting Health Minister, Douglas Syakalima, revealed that the Ministry of Health is intensifying contact tracing and surveillance to curb further spread of the disease.
During a media briefing in Lusaka, Syakalima also addressed the ongoing cholera outbreak in Nakonde, Muchinga Province, where seven cases have been confirmed.
“The second Mpox case involves a 34-year-old female from Ndeke, Kitwe, who presented with symptoms including rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and oral ulcers on December 21,” Syakalima said.
Initially misdiagnosed with chickenpox in Lumwana, North-Western Province, laboratory tests on December 26 confirmed Mpox.
Syakalima added that the patient’s husband, who works in a neighboring country with confirmed Mpox cases, had experienced similar symptoms earlier this month.
“Both patients are now stable and under close monitoring. A rapid response team has been deployed to trace contacts and prevent further spread,” he said.
Eight close contacts are currently under observation, while nationwide surveillance has been heightened.
On December 26, five cholera cases were confirmed at Nakonde Urban Clinic. The first three patients— a husband, wife, and their son— were admitted on December 24 with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and shock.
Two additional cases, involving another son and a domestic worker, were recorded two days later.
Read More: Zambia confirms first Mpox case, as cholera outbreak looms in Kafue
“Today, two more cases have been reported, bringing the total to seven confirmed cholera cases from the same household,” Syakalima stated.
He explained that Nakonde’s location as a border town with high cross-border movement poses a risk for the disease to spread to other parts of the country.
The Ministry of Health has deployed teams to trace contacts, chlorinate water sources, disinfect affected homes, and activate Incident Management Systems at district and provincial levels.
Surveillance has been heightened, and contact tracing is ongoing for 33 individuals.
“The government remains committed to preventing further spread of these diseases,” Syakalima assured.
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