Zambia: recent disease outbreaks

Cholera — multiple districts (declared 30 Sept 2026)

The Zambian government declared a new cholera outbreak on 30 September 2026 after health authorities reported suspected cases first detected in mid‑August and a rapid rise in cases through late September; official counts to 29 September cited about 304 suspected cases (62 laboratory‑confirmed) and 11 deaths across seven districts in five provinces including Lusaka, Chibombo (Central), Chilanga and Chongwe (Lusaka Province), Chiengi (Luapula), Nsama (Northern) and Chikankata (Southern). Zambia Monitor (30 Sep 2026). WHO’s regional surveillance summaries for August 2026 placed ongoing cholera activity across several African countries, underscoring that cholera remains a regional threat and that prompt access to safe water, early care and WASH measures are central to control. WHO WER (data to 30 Aug 2026).

Why it matters to travellers: cholera causes severe, rapidly dehydrating watery diarrhoea; visitors to affected districts or to informal urban markets and crowded living areas should be vigilant about drinking untreated water or eating food from uncertain sources and should seek immediate care for acute watery diarrhoea. The Ministry and local health partners have activated treatment and WASH responses in affected districts; no countrywide travel ban or formal international entry restriction tied to this outbreak was found in official briefings during the reporting window. Lusaka Brief (5 Oct 2026).

Anthrax — Muchinga Province (wildlife die‑offs; suspected human exposures, mid‑Aug to Sept 2026)

Authorities in Muchinga Province (Mpika, Lavushimanda and Shiwang'andu districts) reported a cluster of sudden wildlife and livestock deaths beginning in late August 2026; community reports and field teams described dozens of dead hippos and other wild animals in the Munyamazi/Luangwa riverine area and at least several suspected human cases linked to handling or consumption of meat from found carcasses. Field reports and rapid‑response notes published in September described more than 40 hippo deaths recorded in the area and identified suspected human exposures; laboratory confirmation was limited at first (anthrax confirmed in one animal in publicly reported updates) and investigations were ongoing when the reports were published. Mongabay (24 Sep 2026), Diggers (11 Sep 2026).

Government and animal‑health partners launched containment actions including intensified surveillance, risk communication to avoid handling or eating animals found dead, and a mass livestock vaccination campaign (reported as targeting about 20,000 domestic animals in Mpika, Shiwang'andu and Lavushimanda districts) to reduce spillover risk to people and herds. These measures were reported in mid‑ to late‑September 2026. Travelers on safari, river excursions or visiting wildlife areas in Muchinga and neighbouring conservation areas should follow local wildlife and park authority guidance, avoid contact with dead or sick animals and not consume bushmeat; remain alert to local public‑health messages. Times of Zambia (20 Sep 2026), Diggers (11 Sep 2026).

Uncertainty: reports published in September described suspected human cases and community reports of many animal deaths while laboratory confirmation remained limited in public updates; investigators emphasised a One Health response and laboratory testing pending for clinical specimens at the time of reporting. Mongabay (24 Sep 2026).

Measles — Shangombo District, Western Province (outbreak response noted Sep 2026)

A measles outbreak in Shangombo District (Western Province) that began with an index case in epidemiological week 19 (May 2026) prompted local response actions and a Red Cross/IFRC DREF request; situation reporting published in mid‑September 2026 documented continued transmission and described earlier reactive vaccination activities (a campaign in early July 2026) and case counts reported through late August (Relief/response reports cited ~1,313 cumulative suspected cases with confirmed laboratory positives and several deaths in the district by 24 Aug 2026). ReliefWeb/IFRC summary (15 Sep 2026), Christgiving summary of DREF (15 Sep 2026).

Why it matters to travellers: measles is highly contagious; travelers without evidence of measles immunity (two doses of measles‑containing vaccine or laboratory evidence of immunity) are at risk when visiting affected districts and communities. Local responders reported reactive vaccination rounds in July 2026 to contain spread; travelers should verify their measles vaccination status well before travel and follow local public‑health advice. ReliefWeb/IFRC (15 Sep 2026).