Gov’t Declares End of Cholera Outbreak

By Cindy Mulomba

The Ministry of Health has officially declared the end of the cholera outbreak that affected Zambia since August 2025.

Ministry Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kennedy Lishimpi says the declaration follows the Global Task Force on Cholera Control recommendations for outbreak closure, marking a major public health milestone.

Dr. Lishimpi says the achievement is a result of the collective efforts of healthcare workers, government institutions, cooperating partners and members of the public who supported measures to stop the spread of the disease.

He has also praised President Hakainde Hichilema for providing leadership in the country’s cholera response and for championing cholera prevention efforts both in Zambia and across Africa.

Meanwhile Dr. Lishimpi has disclosed that the emergency measles vaccination campaign has exceeded its target in the affected districts, with more children vaccinated than initially projected.

Dr. Lishimpi said the achievement reflects the positive response from communities and ongoing efforts to protect children against the disease.

And, Ministry Acting Director of Public Health Angel Mwiche said the measles vaccine campaign had targeted about 72,467 children aged between six and nine months, but had so far reached over 88 thousand children, representing 122 percent coverage.

Dr. Mwiche said the achievement means the campaign has covered all eligible children in the affected districts, including those who were not initially included in the target population.