Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR)
Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Cluster is mandated to enhance the public health security of the country by being “Ready to, Respond and Recover” from all public health events of concern. The mandate is facilitated through the following specific functions performed by the cluster:
- Coordinate preparedness, prevention, recovery and control of public health emergencies in order to the reduce risk and mitigate the impact of these emergencies.
- Manage the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in order to ensure optimal and effective use of resources public health emergencies.
- Coordinate implementation and compliance to the International Health Regulations (2005) activities of in line with international best practice in order to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies.
- Support case management, control and prevention of infectious diseases of public health importance in order to enhance the quality of care and improve patient outcomes in outbreaks.
- Facilitate resource mobilization
- Coordinate and provide oversight to surveillance activities across the country.
- Equip and strengthen surveillance system at all levels to generate timely, high quality data.
- Conduct non-communicable diseases surveillance
- Coordinate cross border surveillance and surveillance of all national priority diseases, conditions and events.
- Conduct routine analysis and operational research using surveillance data that will facilitate policy making.
- Conduct sentinel and event-based surveillance;
- Coordinate and collaborate with animal and environmental health sectors and other stakeholders to implement one health approach to disease surveillance and control.
- Implement a one health approach in disease surveillance
- Develop a shared mechanism for surveillance and risk assessment for animal and environment risks to human health.
EPR Response Activites
A combined rapid response team comprising staff from Ministry of Health HQ, Central and Lusaka PHO, Chibombo DHO, ZNPHI and US CDC Zambia conducted an investigation on suspected Acute Haemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in Chibombo District, 4th to 6th July, 2024 to understand the situation, access prevailing risk factors and identify possible responsible pathogens, chemicals or compounds.
- Initial laboratory tests from the patients’ blood and urine samples for viral heamorrhagic fevers and toxicology came out negative for Ebola, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo heamorrhagic fever, Lassa fever and other commonly known VHFs as well as negative for aflatoxins and similar compounds
- Only one family/ household was affected with this event
- There were reports of animals (cats, dogs, and goats) dying spontaneously
- There was history of use of traditional medicines given to the
Combined Rapid response team during field investigations in Chibombo 4th to 6th July,2024
2. The Rapid Response Team (RRT) conducted an investigation into the acid spill incident that occurred on 18th February 2025 at Sino Metals Leach Limited in Chambishi. The spill, resulting from a tailings dam burst, released over 50,000 cubic meters of acidic slurry into the Mwambashi River, a tributary of the Kafue River, significantly lowering the water pH and contaminating aquatic ecosystems. The spill led to widespread environmental damage, loss of aquatic life, and potential health hazards for affected communities. The response, assessed using the 7-1-7 framework, highlighted gaps in early intervention, as liming efforts only targeted pH neutralization, while chemical profiling and heavy metal mitigation remained unaddressed. Field assessments revealed multiple exposure routes, including inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion through contaminated water, fish, and crops. Community reluctance to seek medical care was noted, largely due to fear of prosecution and lack of awareness. The report recommends comprehensive environmental testing, strengthened response coordination, and policy enforcement to mitigate future risks and ensure public health safety
- A toxicologist collecting water sample for testing of electrical conductivity and Maize sample in the contaminated field
- A Rapid Responder from ZNPHI monitoring the liming interventions along the trail of contamination, Kalulushi District, February – March, 2025.
ZNPHI/ MOH with support from UKHSA and IFRC successfully conducted Case Area Targeted interventions (CATI) TOT training in nine provinces except Luapula province as part of cholera preparedness and response strategy. So far, two districts have implemented the CATI approach (Nakonde and Lusaka) during the 2024 -2025 cholera outbreaks
CATI Approach implementation
- The National Rapid Response Team supported in conducting and implementing Case Area Targeted Intervention (CATI) strategy
- To contain the outbreak and prevent its spread to other parts of the country
- The CATI strategy focused on localized, targeted responses within identified cholera hotspot areas
- It employed measures such as the rapid provision of oral cholera vaccines (OCVs), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and health education campaigns to interrupt transmission chains and prevent further spread
- Intervention package implemented for CATI Approach in Nakonde
- Active case finding and management
- Health education on the 3Cs
- Providing a bucket with a tap, three bars of soap, liquid domestic chlorin, two five litres of containers, a box of water purifier test kits to case households
- The strategy’s success relied heavily on timely implementation, strong community engagement and effective coordination among stakeholders
CATI Approach implementation during Cholera outbreak in Nakonde December 2024 to January 2025.
Cross Border Collaboration
Strengthened cross-border coordination mechanisms for cholera response and control efforts between Tunduma and Nakonde. Promoted collaboration between health authorities, partners, and stakeholders between the two border districts December 2024 to January 2025
Facilitated the sharing of epidemiological data, trends, and best practices for cholera prevention and control. Exchanged information on cholera outbreaks, affected areas, and populations at risk, December 2024 to January 2025
4. Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) and Oral Rehydration centres (ORCs) have been implemented in Lusaka, Eastern, Muchinga and Copperbelt provinces for rapid case management in the community to prevent community deaths and save lives.
Assessment of ORPs in Kitwe, Mulenga compound, February, 2025
Combined team of experts from ZNPHI and Lusaka PHO conducting a basic public health emergency management (PHEM) training Luangwa district to strengthen public health security, 17th to 22nd March,2024. Training comprised of multidisciplinary teams