Zambia has confirmed its second case of mpox, with Health Minister Douglas Syakalima announcing the development on December 29, 2024. The patient is a 34-year-old woman from Ndeke, Kitwe, a city in northern Zambia. She first presented symptoms on December 21, including a rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and oral ulcers. Initially misdiagnosed with chickenpox in Lumwana, North-Western Province, the patient’s condition was re-evaluated, and laboratory tests conducted on December 26 confirmed the presence of mpox.
Following the confirmation of the second case, the Ministry of Health swiftly deployed a rapid response team to the Ndeke district in Kitwe to conduct contact tracing and prevent further spread of the virus. As part of the preventive measures, eight close contacts of the patient have been placed under observation, while surveillance activities have been heightened across various districts to monitor for additional cases.
Syakalima emphasized the significance of the public health response, urging for strengthened collaboration with neighboring countries to mitigate cross-border transmission. The minister also highlighted the importance of vigilance in detecting and reporting new cases swiftly to contain the spread of mpox and protect public health.
Zambia’s first confirmed case of mpox occurred earlier in the year, on October 10, 2024, when a Tanzanian national, who had entered the country through the northern border town of Nakonde, tested positive for the disease.
With these recent developments, the Ministry of Health is calling on the public to remain alert, take preventive measures, and cooperate with health authorities to prevent the further transmission of mpox. The country is working diligently to ensure the protection of its population while collaborating with international health organizations to control the ongoing threat.
