C. Groeneveld, M. Banda, N. Kayeyi, ML. Mazaba, M. Kapina
Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Unit
Zambia National Public Health Institute
Weekly Summary
- Current outbreaks
- Cholera: Seven (7) cases were reported from 27 to 30 August from Nsama district, NorthernProvince. Of these six 6 were culture confirmed positive for V Cholerae Inaba 0139
- Rabies: Four (4) cases were reported with one (1) fatality from Mumbwa District from a suspected rabid dog. Three(3) cases are being treated with post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies
- Ebola Virus Disease: Zero cases were reported
- Immediately notifiable
- Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP): Ten (10) cases were reported from Copperbelt (3), Northern (2), Luapula (2), Western (2) and Lusaka (1) provinces. Simples are under investigation for poliovirus
- Measles: A total of six (6) cases were reported this week from Lusaka (3), Eastern (1), NorthWestern (1) and Luapula (1) provinces. Four specimens were investigated for measles & rubella
- Maternal Deaths: Thirteen (13) maternal deaths were registered from Lusaka (5), Northern (3),
- Eastern (1) Central (1), Muchinga(1), Western (1) and Luapula (1) provinces
- Other diseases
- Trypanosomiasis: Two (2) suspected cases were recorded from Nyimba district, Eastern Province with one fatality. One (1) confirmed case with T b rhodesiense is under treatment. dysenteriae
Regional Public Health Events
6
PAPER AND ELECTRONIC HEALTH FACILITY REPORTING COMPLETENESS WEEK 34 TO 35
OUTBREAKS
Cholera Outbreak
Seven (7) cases of suspected cholera were reported in Nsama district in week 35.
The cumulative number of cases reported in Nsama by 1 September is 13 with nine (9) culture positives.
Nationwide, 448 suspected cases of cholera (CFR = 2.5%) have been recorded from Lusaka and Northern provinces (Lusaka , Nsama , Mbala, and Mpulungu) since week 1.
HIGH PRIORITY DISEASES
Maternal Deaths
Thirteen maternal deaths were registered from Lusaka (5), Northern (3), Eastern (1) Central (1),Muchinga(1), Western (1) and Luapula (1) provinces.
Obstetric hemorrhages continue to be the leading cause of death.
Lusaka province has cumulatively recorded the highest number of deaths since week 1.
VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES
SUMMARY REPORT PRIORITY DISEASES, CONDITIONS AND EVENTS (WEEK 35)
HIGH BURDEN DISEASES
HIGH BURDEN DISEASES
33,301 cases were tested in the week under review, with a positivity rate of 6.0.
Lusaka and Central provinces have cumulatively reported high numbers of new cases from week 1.
EARLY WARNING DISEASES
Ebola Virus, DRC and Uganda , 2018-2019
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
General Recommendations
Response pillars at ZNPHI to continue working with partners to strengthen surveillance, laboratory and epidemic preparedness for EVD, Cholera, Measles and other public health threats
Provincial health with veterinary municipalities should quickly respond to suspected of cases rabies, promote vaccination of dogs and sensitize communities on rabies prevention /treatment
Provinces to oversee that epidemic preparedness consumables (including vaccines ) are available for timely distribution to districts experiencing outbreaks or at high risk of outbreaks
Provinces should ensure that epidemic preparedness committees (provincial and districts) are functional, represented by all key multisector stakeholders & hold regular meetings to routinely discuss response activities
Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness
All provinces to strengthen EVD surveillance among all health care providers and raise community awareness of EVD prevention
Provide weekly reports in IDSR reports of active searches including zero reporting in at riskdistricts, including ports of entry
Ensure epidemic preparedness measures for detecting cases, sample testing / transportation and managing cases are effected
All border districts to strengthen the point of entry EVD screening including facilitation of cross-border monitoring and reporting of suspected EVD cases
Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance in Silent Districts
Provinces to ensure silent districts not reporting AFP/measles cases are supported for active surveillance
DHMTs are encouraged to sensitize health workers for improved detection, reporting and investigation of suspected measles cases.
Provincial health offices to ensure sub regional attainment of the Non-Polio AFP and non Febrile Rash rate of 2 cases per 100,000
Prioritize sample referral of suspected cases to the national reference laboratory
Active Surveillance in Cholera Hotspots
Nsama and neighbouring districts to continue to support the ongoing outbreak through heightened active surveillance, management of cholera cases and timely reporting of epidemiological changes
Health education to sensitize communities and health workers on cholera preventative measures
WASH continue water monitoring and distribution of chlorine in identified at risk populations
Provincial epidemic preparedness committee’s to engage all relevant government stakeholders and multisector partners required to prevent cholera outbreaks
Reported by: Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Unit
Writers: Chanda Groeneveld, Muzala Kapin’a, Moses Banda, Nkomba Kayeyi, Mazyanga M Liwewe, VictorMukonka and Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI