Measles Outbreak Spreads Nationwide – Dr. MUCHIMA
By Arnold Tutu
Zambia is experiencing a measles outbreak which has now spread to all parts of the country.
Health Minister ELIJAH MUCHIMA says the disease which was concentrated in Lusaka, North-western and Southern Provinces has spread to all the ten provinces affecting both urban and rural communities.
Dr. MUCHIMA says this year alone, 58 cases of measles have been recorded.
He says the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has been activated with a fully operational Incident Management System in place.
Dr. MUCHIMA says government is actively monitoring the situation with daily surveillance and contact tracing across the affected districts, while the rest of the country remains on high alert.
He says the Ministry of Health through the Zambia National Public Health Institute has also intensified community engagement and is ramping up training for healthcare workers to improve early detection and response.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, Dr. MUCHIMA urged community members to remain vigilant, adhere to public health advice, and participate in community sensitisation activities in order to curb the measles outbreak.
