Yes, cases of Anthrax recorded in Lusaka Province, Govt working to contain outbreak

Rating Justification

A fact check has determined as true the post by the Nkani Facebook page that Zambia has recorded 13 cases of anthrax in Lusaka province as of November 1, 2023. An official press statement issued by the Minister of Health, Honourable Sylvia T. Masebo, and posted on the Ministry of Health website confirmed that 13 cases had been recorded in Lusaka District with 5 reported in Kanyama, 6 in Matero, 1 in Chelstone, and 1 in Chilenje sub-districts. The statement which can be accessed at https://www.moh.gov.zm/?p=3366 further states that the cases in Lusaka district were in addition to cases recorded in other provinces. These provinces are Southern, Western, and Eastern. Southern Province had recorded two hundred and sixty-nine (269) cases and 2 deaths distributed across 6 districts. The affected districts are Sinazongwe with 242 cases including 2 deaths; Kazungula with 17 cases; Livingstone with 6 cases; Monze with 2 cases; and Choma and Kalomo with 1 case each. Western Province had recorded Nineteen (19) cases affecting 4 districts and these are Sesheke with 9 cases, Mongu with 6, Nalolo with 3, and Sioma with 1 case. In Eastern Province, the number of cases is Thirty (30) and the affected districts are Lumezi district with 28 cases and 1 death, and Lundazi with 2 cases.
Hon. Masebo further informed the public that government had implemented a range of public health measures to contain and prevent the spread of the disease. These measures included re-orientation of staff on disease identification and management to ensure early diagnosis and treatment; enhanced event-based surveillance and early case detection; ensuring that all facilities had an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medication needed for treatment; public sensitization and community engagement; and ongoing monitoring and clinical evaluation of discharged patients. She added that the her Ministry was working closely with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to ensure that the spread of the disease among humans and animals was curtailed.