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MINISTERIAL PRESS STATEMENT BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF

HEALTH.

UPDATE ON THE SUSPECTED VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER ALERT IN ZAMBIA AND

THE GLOBAL DECLARATION OF THE BUNDIBUGYO EBOLA OUTBREAK AS A PUBLIC

HEALTH EMERGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN (PHEIC)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LUSAKA – 18 MAY 2026

The Ministry of Health wishes to provide the nation with an urgent, transparent, and

evidence-based update regarding ongoing alert of a suspected viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) case investigation, and recent international developments.

1. Global Declaration of a Public Health

Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public that on Sunday, 17 May 2026, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the ongoing multi-country outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

This declaration follows alerts issued by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), citing active community transmission and increased cross-border transmission risks associated with high population mobility along trade corridors,urban centres, transit routes, and mining networks.

To date, the DRC has recorded 8 laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 deaths in Ituri Province, with reported spread to the capital city, Kinshasa. Uganda

has also confirmed two laboratory-confirmed cases in Kampala linked to cross-border transmission.

The Ministry further wishes to emphasize that, unlike outbreaks caused by the Ebola-

Zaire strain, there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific monoclonal antibody

treatments approved for the Bundibugyo virus strain. Consequently, rapid case isolation,

rigorous contact tracing, and strict infection prevention and control measures remain

the primary strategies for outbreak containment.

2. Update on the Domestic Alert in Luanshya District

The Ministry of Health also wishes to officially inform the nation that Zambia’s surveillance system recently detected a localized Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) alert.

On 13 May 2026, a 46-year-old female patient from Kafubu Block Farms in Luanshya District, Copperbelt Province, was admitted and isolated at Roan Antelope Referral Hospital after presenting with symptoms consistent with a haemorrhagic illness, including severe nosebleeds, vomiting of blood, and profound weakness.

The patient remains clinically stable and continues to receive supportive treatment under strict infection prevention and biosecurity protocols.

Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have identified and placed 70 contacts in Luanshya and

Ndola under daily 21-day symptom and temperature monitoring. To date, no secondary

symptoms have been reported among the identified contacts.

3. Preliminary Laboratory Findings

The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce 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.

While these preliminary findings are reassuring and significantly reduce the immediate

level of concern, the Ministry wishes to emphasize that Rapid Diagnostic Tests may have reduced sensitivity during the early stages of infection. In line with internationalpublic health standards, the national response remains active pending definitive laboratory confirmation.

The sample is currently undergoing confirmatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and

antigen testing at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory

in Lusaka. Final results are expected within the next 24 hours.

4. National Preparedness and Containment Measures

Given Zambia’s close trade and transport links with the DRC and East African countries,

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). The Copperbelt Provincial PHEOC has also been activated in Active Response Mode.

In accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), Zambia’s borders

remain open for trade and travel. The Government maintains that indiscriminate border closures are not evidence-based and may disrupt essential trade and encourage the use of unregulated border crossings.

The following measures have therefore been implemented:

●Six priority provinces — Copperbelt, Luapula, North-Western, Northern, Central,

and Muchinga — have been placed under heightened surveillance.

●Enhanced screening measures, including thermal screening and health questionnaires, have been strengthened at major points of entry, particularly

Kasumbalesa and Nakonde.

●Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been distributed to frontline border personnel.

●All health facilities, including public, private, and mining-sector facilities, have been directed to maintain a high level of clinical suspicion for VHF cases and implement mandatory daily active zero-reporting.

●Emergency procurement and distribution of VHF response supplies, includingdisinfectants and clinical logistics, have been initiated for high-risk districts and transit corridors.

5. Appeal to the Public

The Ministry of Health urges all citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid panic, as the national public health system remains fully alert and actively engaged in managing the situation.

Members of the public are encouraged to observe the following preventive measures:

1. Maintain good personal hygiene through regular handwashing with soap and clean water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

2. Avoid direct contact with body fluids or secretions from individuals presenting with unexplained illness or fever.

3. Immediately report any person experiencing sudden high fever, unexplained bleeding, severe weakness, vomiting, or diarrhoea to the nearest health facility or through the toll-free public health 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 as additional laboratory findings become available.

God bless our nation.

Permanent Secretary - Technical Services

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

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