Zambia has confirmed eight new cases of mpox, raising the national tally to 15, health authorities announced on Tuesday.
The latest cases were detected in various residential areas of Lusaka, the country’s capital. The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) confirmed the increase in a statement, revealing that many of those affected are family members, highlighting a potential chain of transmission within households.
Paul Zulu, the mpox incident manager at ZNPHI, explained that the new cases involved individuals who had recently traveled outside Lusaka. Health authorities in the capital have been actively responding to the outbreak since mid-January and have implemented measures to prevent further spread of the virus.
Zambia recorded its first case of mpox in October 2024, when a foreign national visiting the country tested positive. The virus has since spread to other regions, including the Copperbelt towns of Kitwe and Luanshya, as well as Lusaka.
The government has urged citizens to remain vigilant as the authorities continue their efforts to control the outbreak.