Zambia launches emergency vaccination as measles cases hit 119

Zambia has launched an emergency measles vaccination campaign after confirming 119 cases, the Ministry of Health said on Friday.

Officials said Western Province is the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for 329 suspected cases, while infections have been reported in eight other provinces. Ninety-two patients are currently receiving treatment in health facilities.

Kennedy Lishimpi, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services at the Ministry of Health, said 87.4% of confirmed cases involved children with unknown or incomplete vaccination histories, highlighting significant immunity gaps and increasing the risk of further transmission.

The government has activated the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response and will roll out an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign from July 6 to 11 in five high-risk districts, targeting children aged six months to nine years.

Health authorities have also intensified disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and the deployment of rapid response teams to affected communities.

Officials urged parents to ensure their children receive routine vaccinations and seek medical attention if symptoms develop. They also called on community leaders, teachers and the media to support the vaccination campaign and help counter misinformation.