Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40549796›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

Navigating the cholera elimination roadmap in Zambia - A scoping review (2013-2024).

Nyuma Mbewe, John Tembo, Mpanga Kasonde, Kelvin Mwangilwa, Paul Msanzya Zulu, Joseph Adive Sereki, William Ngosa, Kennedy Lishipmi, Lloyd Mulenga, Roma Chilengi and 2 more

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Molecular characterization ofIJID regions · 2026
    Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Unmasking the Neglected Cholera Outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa.International journal of public health · 2024
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Nyuma MbeweNational Cholera Elimination Taskforce, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia.ORCID 0000-0002-3309-0538
John TemboHERPEZ Zambia - Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Lusaka, Zambia.
Mpanga KasondeNational Cholera Elimination Taskforce, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia.
Kelvin MwangilwaNational Cholera Elimination Taskforce, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia.
Paul Msanzya ZuluNational Cholera Elimination Taskforce, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia.
Joseph Adive SerekiRegional Cholera Support Coordinator, International Federation of Red Cross Society, Lusaka, Zambia.
William NgosaNational Cholera Elimination Taskforce, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia.
Kennedy LishipmiMinistry of Health Headquarters, Ndeke House, Lusaka, Zambia.
Lloyd MulengaMinistry of Health Headquarters, Ndeke House, Lusaka, Zambia.
Roma ChilengiNational Cholera Elimination Taskforce, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia.
Nathan KapataNational Cholera Elimination Taskforce, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia.
Martin Peter GrobuschDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location AMC, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Public Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCholera outbreaks are increasing in frequency and severity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Zambia, committed to ending cholera by 2025, instead experienced its most significant outbreak in 2024. This review examines the perceived regression in elimination efforts by addressing two questions: (i) What is known about cholera in Zambia? and (ii) What are the main suggested mechanisms and strategies to further elimination efforts in the region?. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL

findingsA scoping literature search was conducted in PUBMED to identify relevant qualitative and quantitative research studies published between 1st January 2013 and 30th June 2024 using the search terms 'cholera' and 'Zambia'. We identified 53 relevant publications. With the increasing influence of climate change, population growth, and rural-urban migration, further increases in outbreak frequency and magnitude are expected. Risk factors for recurrent outbreaks, including poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in unplanned urban settlements and rural fishing villages, continue to derail elimination efforts. Interventions are best planned at a decentralised, community-centric approach to prevent elimination and reintroduction at the district level. Pre-emptive vaccination campaigns before the rainy season and climate-resilient WASH infrastructure in cholera hotspots are also recommended. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The goal to eliminate cholera by 2025 was unrealistic, as evidence points to the disease becoming endemic. Our findings confirm the need to align health and WASH investments with the Global Roadmap to Cholera Elimination by 2030 through a climate-focused lens. Recommendations for cholera elimination, including improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation, remain elusive in many low-income settings like Zambia. Patient-level information on survival and transmissibility is lacking. New research tailored to country-level solutions and enhancing community participation is urgently required. Insights from this review will be integrated into the next iteration of the National Cholera Control Plan and could apply to other countries with similar settings.

Indexed as

CholeraDisease EradicationDisease OutbreaksHumansHygieneRisk FactorsSanitationZambia

Identifiers

PMID40549796
PMCPMC12208409

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.