LUSAKA, Jan. 16 — The number of confirmed mpox cases in Zambia has climbed to 367 since the disease outbreak in October 2024, health authorities said on Friday.
Minister of Health Elijah Muchima said the cases were recorded from more than 2,000 suspected cases identified in 46 districts across nine of the country’s 10 provinces.
“While the World Health Organization has declared an end to mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, the disease has not disappeared, and response activities continue,” he told reporters during a press briefing.
Zambia recorded its first mpox case in October 2024, and so far, the southern African nation has reported three mpox-related deaths.
Meanwhile, cumulative cholera cases have reached 639 since fresh outbreaks were reported in August 2025.
Ten people have died, while 614 others have recovered, the minister said, adding that 17 people remain hospitalized in Lusaka, the country’s capital, as preventive measures are being intensified.
Muchima said the disease has been reported in 17 districts across seven provinces, with most cases coming from the northern part of the country.
Zambia experienced its worst cholera outbreak between October 2023 and July 2024, recording over 23,000 cases and more than 700 deaths. (Namibia Daily News/Xinhua)
