Zambia on Thursday reported its second death associated with mpox, as cases rose to 49 in the southern African country.
The second mpox case that led to a death was a 10-year-old in Mpika District of Muchinga Province, according to a statement from Health Minister Elijah Muchima.
Last month, there was the first reported mpox-related death, after the first case in the country was detected in October of last year.
Addressing a news briefing on further developments in the coronavirus outbreak, the minister said 13 new cases were detected between April 2 and April 15, bringing the total number of infections to 49, cases having been reported in six of the country’s 10 provinces.
Thirty-two patients have been treated and discharged, and the other 15 remain under home isolation, he said.
The minister said the health ministry is working with partners to investigate, detect and treat mpox cases to limit further transmission.
In other health news, Zambia cholera cases also climbed to 490 after 18 new cases were reported in the past two weeks.
About 480 have been treated and discharged, and nine have died, the minister said.
In Malawi, the Ministry of Health has reported mpox cases in Lilongwe district – two cases.
The statement from the Secretary for Health Samson Mndolo assured members of the public that there was no cause for alarm as the situation was under control.
