The Ministry of Health has disclosed that Zambia’s surveillance system recently detected a localised Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) alert from a 46-year-old female patient of Luanshya District on the Copperbelt Province.
The patient was admitted and isolated on May 13th, 2026 at Roan Antelope Referral Hospital after presenting with symptoms consistent with haemorrhagic illness, including severe nosebleeds, vomiting of blood, and profound weakness.
According to a statement issued to the media in Lusaka by Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi, the patient remains stable and continues to receive treatment under strict infection prevention and biosecurity protocols.
Dr Lishimpi explained that preliminary Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) results conducted on the patient’s blood sample have returned negative for both Ebola virus disease and Marburg Virus Disease.
The Permanent Secretary added that the final results are however expected after 24 hours once the confirmatory tests are concluded at the University Teaching Hospital.
He further noted that Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have since identified and placed 70 contacts in Luanshya and Ndola under daily 21-day symptom and temperature monitoring.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
However, Dr Lishimpi has assured that the Ministry of Health, through the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), has intensified national preparedness activities and activated the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at Grade 2 (Alert Status).
He stated that surveillance has since been heightened in six provinces and screening enhanced at key border points including Kasumbalesa and Nakonde.
Dr Lishimpi highlighted that the Ministry has further distributed personal protective equipment to frontline staff, and all health facilities have been directed to maintain high vigilance and report daily on suspected cases.
He has since urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant, emphasising hygiene, avoiding contact with body fluids of ill individuals, and promptly reporting symptoms such as unexplained bleeding, fever, or severe weakness to health facilities or via the toll-free line 909.
“The Government of the Republic of Zambia remains fully committed to protecting the health and safety of all citizens and will continue to provide timely and transparent updates,” the Permanent Secretary assured.
