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What happened, where and when?
The outbreak was first declared on December 24th in Nakonde District (border of Tanzania) and more cases until mid-January in the district with same epidemiological linkage. On 18th Jan, the first case was declared in Chililabombwe district (bordering DRC) with no epidemiological linkage with Nakonda cases.
The cholera situation reached its peak in late January 2025, with a sharp increase in cases and deaths, particularly in Chililabombwe. As of February 3, 2025, a total of 158 cumulative cases and 8 deaths (7 occurring in the community and 1 in a health facility) had been reported.
The current outbreak has an overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 5.1%, with a facility CFR of 0.6%.
The distribution of cases by district is as follows:
Copperbelt Province: Chililabombwe (121), Chingola (3), Kitwe (7), and Ndola (2). Lusaka Province: Matero (1).
Muchinga Province: Nakonde (24).
In response to the rising trend of cases, the Government swiftly initiated control measures, including the launch of an Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign in Chililabombwe, Copperbelt Province, which began on February 7, 2025. Approximately 129,000 vaccine doses were allocated for the district. The Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS), as a key local partner, has been called upon to play a crucial role in reaching communities, complementing the National Society's ongoing efforts in cholera prevention and response.
ZRCS has consistently contributed to cholera control efforts over the years, including during the country’s most severe outbreak from October 2023 to 2024. However, the recent surge in cases—especially in Chililabombwe—has not been observed in the other affected districts. The spike is largely attributed to factors such as inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure, poor hygiene practices, and the start of the rainy season, which has further fueled the spread of the disease. With rains continuing, there is potential for the situation to escalate further.