Zambia Declared Cholera Free

The Ministry of Health has officially declared the cholera outbreak in Zambia over after the country recorded more than four consecutive weeks without a single confirmed case.

Speaking at Ndeke House in Lusaka, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, said the declaration followed guidance from the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which recommends closing an outbreak after sustained interruption of transmission.

Dr. Lishimpi said the outbreak, which began in August 2025, affected several parts of the country, with one thousand six hundred and twenty-seven confirmed cases and twenty-six deaths recorded across twenty-five districts.

He said every life lost represented a painful reminder of the devastating impact cholera can have on individuals, families and communities.

“While today is a day of relief and hope, we must never forget the lives that were lost. We extend our deepest sympathies to all families who were affected by this outbreak,” Dr. Lishimpi said.

Despite the declaration, Dr. Lishimpi warned that Zambia remains vulnerable to future outbreaks if preventive measures are neglected, particularly during the rainy season when the risk of waterborne diseases increases.

“The declaration of the end of this outbreak should not be interpreted as the end of cholera as a public health threat. The bacteria that causes cholera still exists, and the conditions that allow it to spread can easily return if we become complacent,” he cautioned.

He urged members of the public to continue drinking safe and treated water, washing hands regularly with soap, using proper sanitation facilities, preparing food hygienically and seeking immediate medical attention whenever they experience symptoms such as severe diarrhoea or vomiting.