Daijiworld Media Network - Lusaka
Lusaka, Apr 18: Zambia has confirmed its second fatality linked to mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), bringing the total number of recorded cases to 49, according to an official update from the Ministry of Health.
Health Minister Elijah Muchima reported on Thursday that a 10-year-old child from Mpika District in Muchinga Province succumbed to the disease, marking the second mpox-related death in the country. The first fatality occurred last month, several months after Zambia’s initial case was detected in October 2024.
Between April 2 and April 15, the country recorded 13 new mpox cases, with infections now present in six of Zambia’s ten provinces. Of the total 49 cases, 32 individuals have recovered and been discharged, while 15 patients are currently isolating at home.
Muchima assured the public that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with partner organizations, is actively working to trace, test, and contain cases in an effort to halt the spread of the virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox is a contagious viral disease that typically begins with symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. A hallmark of the disease is a painful rash that can appear anywhere on the body, often starting on the face and extending to the hands, feet, and genital areas. The rash progresses from flat lesions to fluid-filled blisters, which later crust over and fall off.
Transmission occurs primarily through close personal contact, including skin-to-skin, mouth-to-skin, and respiratory interactions, particularly within households.
Symptoms usually emerge within 7 days of exposure but can take anywhere from 1 to 21 days to appear. Most patients recover within 2 to 4 weeks, though those with weakened immune systems may experience prolonged illness.
In a separate update, the minister revealed that Zambia has also reported 18 new cholera cases in the past two weeks, raising the cumulative total to 490. So far, 480 individuals have recovered, while the death toll from cholera stands at nine.