Health Minister Hon. Elijah Muchima held a press briefing yesterday to address concerns regarding alleged cholera cases in Lusaka’s Kanyama compound. He announced that the government has dismissed recent media reports, confirming that all suspected cases reported in the last few weeks have tested negative for cholera. As of now, the Ministry of Health has not confirmed any cholera cases in Zambia, despite persistent rumors circulating on social media.
Minister Muchima clarified that all diarrheal cases seen in health facilities have tested negative for cholera. He emphasized that the Ministry has implemented a multi-disciplinary approach to epidemic prevention and preparedness to avert any potential outbreaks. Health institutions across the country are currently on high alert, treating every case of diarrhea as a possible cholera infection, with lab investigations conducted to confirm or rule out the disease.
The Ministry of Health is also collaborating with the UN and other partners to facilitate the distribution of a cholera vaccine donated during the last outbreak, aiming to prevent future outbreaks before they occur. In his remarks, Minister Muchima urged the public to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, including washing hands before and after meals, consuming cooked food while it is still warm, and avoiding purchasing cooked food from street vendors.
The Ministry of Information and Media – Zambia continues to monitor the situation closely.
