Northern Province records 1,439 dog-bite cases

Northern Province has recorded 1,439 dog-bite cases from January 2026 to date. The province has also recorded eight cases of rabies in humans, and six deaths in the same period. Northern Province Acting Permanent Secretary, Beauty Undi-Phiri who disclosed the matter during the…

Northern Province has recorded 1,439 dog-bite cases from January 2026 to date.

The province has also recorded eight cases of rabies in humans, and six deaths in the same period.

Northern Province Acting Permanent Secretary, Beauty Undi-Phiri

who disclosed the matter during the 2027 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan in Mbala today says the statistics are a concern.

Ms Undi-Phiri says the statistics call for the need to strengthen emergency preparedness and response systems in the province.

Northern Province Acting Permanent Secretary said this in a speech read for her by Northern Province Assistant Secretary Jordan Mwenya.

 Ms Undi-Phiri said the rabies situation demonstrates the need for stronger coordination among health authorities, veterinary services, local authorities and communities.

She called for improved disease surveillance, responsible dog ownership, increased vaccination of dogs and timely access to post-exposure treatment for people exposed to rabies.

“The rabies situation demonstrates the need for stronger coordination among health authorities, veterinary services, local authorities and communities, while ensuring timely access to life-saving treatment for those exposed,” she said.

The Acting Permanent Secretary has highlighted road traffic injuries as another major concern, with the province recording 1,639 road traffic accidents and 44 deaths.

She has further revealed that 76 measles cases and one death had also been reported, while cholera remained a concern, with Mpulungu District recording 171 cases.

She added that the province currently had five cholera cases, including one confirmed case in Nsumbu, Nsama District.

Ms Undi-Phiri urged stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan was practical, properly costed and responsive to the specific risks faced by individual districts.

She emphasised the need to move from reactive emergency response to proactive preparedness while strengthening collaboration among health authorities, local government, veterinary services, disaster management structures, traditional leaders, cooperating partners and communities.

She has called for greater community participation and urged stakeholders to use lessons learnt from 2026 to identify gaps and strengthen emergency response systems.

The meeting brought together representatives from Kaputa, Nsama, Mpulungu, Mbala, Senga Hill, Kasama, Mungwi and Luwingu Districts.

The Acting Permanent Secretary also acknowledged UNICEF Zambia for supporting the planning meeting.