The first Mpox case in Zambia: a case report

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Mpox (an Orthopoxvirus) has reemerged globally, posing a risk to non-endemic regions like Zambia due to cross-border trade.
• Zambia's proximity to endemic areas and active trade routes increase vulnerability to Mpox importation and transmission.
• This report details the first confirmed Mpox case in Zambia, identified in a Tanzanian cross-border truck driver.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first confirmed case of Mpox in Zambia.
• To highlight the potential for Mpox transmission in non-endemic regions through cross-border movement.
• To emphasize the need for strengthened surveillance and collaborative response strategies.

Main Methods:

• Clinical presentation of a 32-year-old male with fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy.
• Collection of biological specimens (blood, skin scrapings, oral swabs, urine) for laboratory analysis.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing confirmed Mpox DNA; contact tracing was conducted for 22 individuals.

Main Results:

• PCR confirmed Mpox DNA in the patient's blood and skin lesions.
• The patient received symptomatic treatment and isolation advice.
• No symptoms or positive tests were reported among the 22 traced contacts.

Conclusions:

• Cross-border movement poses a significant risk for Mpox transmission into non-endemic countries.
• Strengthened, timely, and sensitive surveillance systems are essential for early Mpox detection and response.
• Multifaceted international collaboration, improved supply chains, and health worker training are critical for outbreak containment.