LUSAKA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Thursday declared an end to the cholera outbreak after five consecutive weeks without any new confirmed cases.
"For a sustained period of more than five weeks -- exceeding the international threshold of 28 consecutive days -- no new confirmed cholera cases have been reported in any district across Zambia," Health Minister Elijah Muchima said during a press briefing.
According to the minister, Zambia recorded a total of 496 confirmed cases and nine deaths during this recent outbreak.
He commended stakeholders for their multi-sectoral approach in tackling the outbreak, which re-emerged in late 2024. He noted that the resurgence tested the resilience of communities and the capacity of the country's health system.
Despite successful containment of the waterborne disease, Muchima said that health authorities will remain vigilant.
Zambia experienced its worst cholera outbreak between October 2023 and July 2024, with over 23,000 cases and more than 700 deaths. ■