
Fellow Zambians, Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I address you with urgency on the ongoing cholera outbreak threatening our health security in Zambia particularly in Nakonde. This public health threat, though currently localized to Nakonde district, Muchinga Province, demands heightened attention and concerted efforts around the country.
From 24th December, 2024 to date, we have recorded a total of 13 cases in Nakonde. Two of these have since been discharged. The remaining 11 individuals are in stable condition, a testament that they are being managed appropriately.
Fellow Zambians,
Let me get into mechanisms we are putting in place to control an extension of the cholera outbreak beyond Nakonde.
- Multisectoral Coordination
The Government of the Republic of Zambia continues to work with multiple local and international stakeholders to ensure targeted and timely response activities. Assuring you of the multisectoral approach to the cholera outbreak response, I will be with me my fellow Ministers from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation in select Lusaka communities.
Let me emphasize that the biggest stakeholder in cholera prevention and control is you the general public. The game changer in our efforts to create cholera-free communities, is each one of us taking collective action and making choices to treat our water. This should be through boiling or using chlorine, to wash our hands before eating and after using the toilet. You further need to seek care early, if you or your loved ones have diarrhoea.
Working in a multisectoral manner and the decentralisation policy, we are also encouraging the cash for work in especially Nakonde, where we need to urgently have public places and other community areas cleaned. This has to be done in conjunction with the lead government agency which is the local government.
- Early Identification of cholera cases
It is important that we all understand that during an outbreak we have definitions we use to help us appropriately manage patients. A “suspected cholera case” is anyone who develops acute watery diarrhoea. This is a person of any age, experiencing three or more episodes within a 24-hour period and may be with or without vomiting. This means we should not ignore any watery diarrhoea. As long as someone has 3 episodes in a single day they need to seek urgent care from their nearest facility, because cholera kills within hours. Early identification of cases helps us to isolate patients thereby reducing spread to others. It also allows our health workers to move into affected communities with specific preventive measures.
- Provision of chlorine in affected communities
Our teams of health workers are on hand in Nakonde to trace homes of contacts in order to offer more information. They are further providing chlorine for treating household water and disinfection services where required. Again, this we can only do well if cases or suspects are identified early; therefore, I urge the members of the public to take heed.
- Heightened alert and activated cholera treatment centers
We have established cholera treatment centers and facilities across the country so that isolation and effective treatment that cholera response requires may be given should we have any cholera case in any community. The health teams have been specifically trained to handle cases, and all our treatment facilities are supplied with needed fluids and medications.
Let me reiterate the importance of seeking medical attention early if you have diarrhea. Treatment is effective and saves life. I wish to remind you that, our Republican President, His Excellency Dr. Hakainde Hichilema who is the global and SADC Cholera Champion has on several occasions said that “No one should die of Cholera”. We remain aligned to this call hence our accelerated response.
I cannot overemphasise the need for all of us to work together towards this common goal for a cholera-free Zambia.
- Cleaning of public places and maintaining of hygienic practices in public and trading places including public transport
We are from now enforcing the proper cleaning of all public places. We are instructing all trading places to provide handwashing facilities and proper sanitation facilities. All public transport need to provide proper sanitisation services.
- Provision of Vaccination to hotspot communities
Vaccination remains a critical component of our strategy. We have started preparing for vaccination of certain high-risk communities in Nakonde. Currently, we have 2 million doses of cholera vaccines in the country. Since Nakonde was not one of those hotspot communities we had earlier planned for oral cholera vaccination, we have, in a joint collaborative manner, engaged WHO, Gavi, the vaccine alliance and other key stakeholders in mobilizing an additional 197,000 vaccines for Nakonde as we re-direct what is available in-country to Nakonde.
Members of the Press, Country Men and Women,
Stigma including self-stigma have led to persons infected attempting to treat themselves at home. This often results in severe disease and even death. We therefore must focus on Reducing Stigma. It is crucial to dispel the stigma surrounding cholera. This disease does not discriminate, and we must stand together to support those affected. Stigmatizing individuals only hinders our collective efforts to control the outbreak. Compassion and understanding are our greatest allies in the fight against cholera. I urge each and every one of you to remain vigilant and prioritize your health and the health of your loved ones.
Members of the Press, Country Men and Women,
I must further stress that the prevention of cholera and other water-borne diseases really does not lie within the health sector. Our people need access to safe drinking water and safe disposal of human waste. While we put in immediate measures to control the current outbreak, I do acknowledge that defeating cholera is not only about immediate responses but also about long-term solutions.
Investment in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is not just a necessity; it is our pathway to a cholera-free Zambia. Together, we must work towards sustainable infrastructure that ensures clean water for all. If we do not act now to end cholera, the high costs of fighting cholera outbreaks will continue to restrain our ability to free up resources for development.
Members of the Press, Country Men and Women,
We continue to rally behind the Call to Action, that is, To Kick Out Cholera from our country, region and indeed globally. It must start with us. We must be quick to remember lessons from the past outbreak earlier this year. The rains that are now upon us is one of the key factors that may lead to the amplification of this current outbreak. In addition, population growth, migration, and climate change have contributed.
Members of the Press, Country Men and Women,
Today, I issue a rallying call to each Zambian: Let us unite to “Kick Out Cholera.” Allow me to re-iterate the preventive measures and “3C’s to Kick out Cholera”:
- Clean Water: Drink and use clean and safe water to brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, as well as when making ice or beverages. Water can be made safe by either boiling it or adding chlorine.
- 2. Clean Hands: Wash your hands often with soap and safe water before, during, and after preparing food. Further, wash your hands often with soap and safe water before, during, and after using the toilet.
- Early Care: Seek care early for you and your loved ones at the earliest signs of diarrhea, even before one develops dehydration. This can be at an oral rehydration point in your community or your nearest health facility/ cholera treatment unit.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to also update you on the Mpox situation we still face here in Zambia. We confirm today that the husband of the 34-year-old female Mpox case reported last week has tested positive for the disease. Both individuals remain stable and are under home isolation, with close monitoring by our health professionals. The confirmation of Mpox in the husband of the initial case underscores the importance of robust contact tracing and heightened surveillance. Eight close contacts are under observation, with no additional symptoms reported thus far.
To prevent Mpox
- Avoid Close Contact: Refrain from direct contact with individuals showing symptoms or contaminated materials such as bedding and clothing.
- Practice Hygiene: Wash hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Seek Medical Attention: Report symptoms like rash, fever, or swollen lymph nodes to the nearest health facility without delay.
Members of the Press, Country Men and Women,
This Government, through the leadership of our Republican President His Excellency Dr. Hakainde Hichilema, attaches great importance to securing the health of our people and the nation at large. As the Global Cholera Champion, he is looking on each of us to ensure that we quickly end this outbreak, and achieve cholera control as a country.
May we emerge from this stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
Thank you and God Bless you
Honorable Dr. Douglas Syakalima, MP
Acting Minister of Health