Question 1

Why does Lusaka get cholera outbreaks when it rains hard?

Accepted Answer

Lusaka sits on a karst limestone aquifer close to the surface, and much of the city relies on pit latrines rather than sewers. When heavy rain floods a low-lying compound, latrine waste mixes into the same shallow groundwater that boreholes and wells draw from. The 2023–24 outbreak was declared in Kanyama on 18 October 2023 and spread to Chawama, Meanwood Ndeke, Chipata Compound and Bauleni — all low-lying, high-density compounds.

The most recent outbreak did not start here. It began in Mpulungu, in Northern Province, in August 2025, and Northern Province stayed the epicentre throughout — about 70% of all cases. It moved south with the rains and reached Lusaka Province late in 2025. By 3 February 2026 the Ministry of Health put the national total at 861 cases and 16 deaths, with seven districts still seeing active transmission and Lusaka district — 170 cases and two deaths — the main place it was still spreading. The Ministry declared that outbreak over on 16 July 2026.

Question 2

Is my borehole or well water safe to drink right now?

Accepted Answer

Don't assume it is safe just because it looks clear. Published sampling studies have found that around 60% of boreholes tested in Lusaka's high-density compounds exceed bacteriological safety limits — and that risk rises sharply after flooding. During and after heavy rain, treat all drinking water before use, even water that has always tasted fine.

Boiling: bring it to a rolling boil. Lusaka is about 1,280 m up, which is below the height at which published guidance asks for longer boiling, so a minute at a rolling boil is enough here. Boiling is also the method that deals with the parasites chlorine does not.

Chlorine tablets or solution: follow the instructions printed on your own packet, and nothing else. The same tablet is sold labelled for different volumes in different countries, so a dose someone tells you, or one you read for another product, can be wrong by half.

If the water is cloudy, chlorine works poorly. Let it settle, pour it through a clean cloth first, and then use double the tablets — that is the published rule in both the WHO and the US CDC guidance. Store treated water covered, and pour it out or use a tap rather than dipping a cup or your hand in.

Question 3

What are the warning signs of cholera, and what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Cholera's hallmark is sudden, watery diarrhoea — often described as looking like rice water — sometimes with vomiting, that can lead to severe dehydration within hours. It is a medical emergency, not something to wait out at home. Go to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately. On the way, if the person can drink, give oral rehydration solution (or a homemade mix of clean water, salt and sugar) in small, frequent sips — this can be lifesaving before you reach care, but it does not replace it.

Question 4

How bad is the situation right now, and where do I get the current numbers?

Accepted Answer

This page does not track live case counts — no maintained public feed exists for that, and a stale number here would be worse than none.

The most recent official position is that the outbreak is over. On 16 July 2026 the Ministry of Health declared an end to the outbreak that began in August 2025, after more than four weeks with no confirmed case. Over the whole outbreak Zambia recorded 1,627 cases and 26 deaths across 25 districts. The Ministry was clear at the same time that the risk has not gone away, which is the reason the rest of this page still matters, particularly once the rains start in November.

For the current situation, follow the Zambia Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) directly, and listen for Ministry statements on national radio and television during an active outbreak.

Question 5

What can my household do to lower the risk?

Accepted Answer

Treat all drinking water during and after heavy rain (boil or chlorinate — see above). Keep latrines as far from wells and boreholes as your plot allows, and make sure pit latrines are covered and don't overflow when it floods. Wash hands with soap (or ash and water, if soap isn't available) after using the latrine and before eating or preparing food. Keep food covered and reheat leftovers thoroughly. If your area floods, avoid wading through standing floodwater where possible, and treat any water that has been in contact with it as unsafe.

Question 6

Where do I report flooding or a blocked drain in my area?

Accepted Answer

Flooding and drainage are handled by Lusaka City Council; blocked drains and standing water are worth reporting to your local ward councillor's office or LCC directly so the area is on record for clearing. This is separate from a medical emergency — if anyone shows cholera symptoms, go straight to a clinic rather than waiting for drainage to be cleared.

Rainy Season: Flooding and Cholera Risk

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