The Ministry of Health has confirmed the isolation of poliovirus type 2 from an environmental sample collected in Lusaka District, following routine surveillance conducted in collaboration with local and international health partners.
Acting Minister of Health Cornelius Mweetwa says Laboratory analysis verified the presence of the virus, signaling active circulation within the community despite no confirmed cases of paralysis so far.
They have described the development as a serious public health concern, particularly as the Southern Africa sub-region remains on high alert after recent poliovirus detections in Malawi linked to previous transmission in Zimbabwe.
He says the Lusaka isolate closely matches a strain previously detected in Namibia and linked to Angola, indicating ongoing regional transmission.
Government has since activated emergency measures, including intensified surveillance, enhanced community sensitisation, and planned vaccination campaigns targeting high-risk children regardless of prior immunisation status, as well as strengthening routine immunisation services to prevent potential outbreaks.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
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