Zambia has confirmed five new cases of Mpox in the last week, bringing the total cumulative cases to 1,733 since the disease outbreak began in October last year. Despite the high number of cases, the Zambia National Public Health Institute reports that the death toll remains at three.

The Western Province, which borders Namibia, ranks fourth with 32 confirmed Mpox cases. Another concerning area is the Southern Province, also bordering Namibia near Kazungula, with 17 cases, placing it seventh out of Zambia's 10 provinces.

Topping the list is Muchinga Province, bordering Tanzania, where the first case was reported and where the total cases now stand at 83. The Copperbelt Province, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, holds second place with 60 cases, while the capital, Lusaka, is third with 44 cases.

Other provinces include Central with 33 cases, Northwestern bordering Angola and Congo with 21 Mpox cases, Eastern Province bordering Malawi and Mozambique with seven cases, and Northern Province neighbouring Tanzania with four cases.

Luapula Province, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, has not reported any cases since the outbreak began.

The Ministry of Health, together with its partners, has intensified awareness campaigns through all available media platforms as well as door-to-door efforts. There are also plans underway to address the situation, including interventions to localise vaccine manufacturing.