LUSAKA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's health authorities on Thursday confirmed the first case of mpox in the country.
Minister of Health Elijah Muchima said the case was a Tanzanian national who entered the country through the northern border town of Nakonde and visited Chitambo Town in Central Province.
According to Muchima, the patient reported symptoms of muscle aches, fatigue, and sore throat, with his blood samples testing positive for mpox.
The health minister noted that the patient currently remains at a local hospital.
"Given the patient's extensive travel history and interactions at multiple points in Zambia, there is heightened risk of local transmission and potential cross-border spread," he said.
The ministry, he added, has since heightened surveillance and is conducting contact tracing in all the areas the patient has passed through.
He assured that health workers and all public health facilities are equipped to handle suspected mpox cases. ■