Health minister, Muchima, warns of rising cholera cases as Lusaka becomes main transmission hub

Health Minister, Dr. Elijah Muchima, has raised concern over the rise in cholera cases in Lusaka Province, which he says has now become the primary focus of transmission, with “low-level, geographically widespread sporadic cases across multiple sub-districts.” Muchima said seven districts continue to experience active cholera transmission. These included Mpulungu (second wave), Lusaka, Chilanga, Nakonde, Solwezi (second wave), Nkeyema and Choma.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka on Monday, he noted that the province continued to record cases in health facilities, despite several districts countrywide meeting the 28-day zero-reporting threshold. He revealed that in the last 24 hours, 20 new cholera cases had been recorded from four districts—Lusaka with 11, Mpulungu with 2, Nakonde with 4, and Choma with 3—adding that no deaths were reported in that period. “The three cases in Choma confirm a new outbreak, increasing the number of active outbreak districts to seven and making Choma the third affected district in Southern Province, nearly 70 days after the last case was reported in Monze,” Muchima said.

He added that Lusaka District alone had recorded 170 cumulative cases and two deaths, giving a case fatality rate of about 1.2 percent, and confirming the district’s role as the current driver of national transmission. Muchima also highlighted that Nakonde District, despite reporting fewer cases, had recorded a disproportionately high case fatality rate, indicating late detection and community-level vulnerabilities. “These are being addressed through intensified surveillance, community engagement, and support to frontline health workers,” he said.

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Dose 1 targeted 35,700 eligible individuals, of whom 35,396 (99.1 percent) were reached. Out of those vaccinated with the first dose, 32,987 (93.2 percent) have so far received Dose 2. He appealed to residents of Chainda in Lusaka to ensure they complete the full vaccination course for maximum protection.

Muchima recalled that Zambia had been responding to the cholera outbreak first detected on August 5, 2025, in Mpulungu District of Northern Province. Since then, 20 districts across eight provinces have reported cases. “Luapula and Eastern Provinces have remained free of confirmed cholera cases throughout this period. As of 3 February 2026, the country has recorded a cumulative total of 861 cholera cases and 16 deaths,” Muchima said.

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