Zambia recorded its second confirmed mpox case, Zambian Minister of Health Douglas Syakalima said in a statement on Friday.
"The second mpox case involves a 34-year-old female from Ndeke, Kitwe, who, on 21st December 2024, presented with symptoms of rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and oral ulcers. She was earlier misdiagnosed with chickenpox while in Lumwana, North-Western Province. However, on December 26, 2024, laboratory tests confirmed mpox," the statement read.
A rapid response team has been deployed to trace contacts and prevent further spread in the Ndeke district of the Kitwe city in northern Zambia. Eight close contacts are under observation, and heightened surveillance is ongoing across districts, Syakalima noted.
While mpox remains a cross-border threat for Zambia, the minister emphasized the need for collaborative work to prevent further transmission and protect the population.