Zambart

08/06/2026

Understanding the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus and Why This Matters for Zambia

Zambia remains at a heightened risk of an imported Ebola case due to its proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola outbreaks have occurred periodically. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Zambia is classified as being at very high risk of an imported Ebola case from neighboring DRC.

This risk is heightened by cross-border movement of people and goods, particularly in districts that share borders with the DRC. As a result, continued public awareness, surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response measures are critical to preventing and controlling any potential outbreak in the country.

To strengthen staff preparedness and awareness, Dr. Mohammed Limbada, Head of Epidemiology and Clinical Research (ECR) at Zambart, delivered a presentation on Ebola Virus Disease during a Research Directorate Meeting held at Zambart House. The presentation provided an overview of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, including its symptoms, modes of transmission, prevention measures, and the importance of early detection and reporting. The session emphasized the need for vigilance among healthcare, laboratory, field, and support staff, particularly given Zambia’s risk of importing cases from neighbouring countries experiencing outbreaks.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease usually appear suddenly between two and 21 days after exposure to the virus. Early symptoms often resemble malaria and other common illnesses, making early detection challenging.

Common early symptoms include:

Sudden high fever
Severe tiredness and weakness
Muscle and joint pain
Headache
Loss of appetite
As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms may develop, including:

Vomiting and diarrhoea
Skin rash
Bleeding from the eyes, nose, gums, or stool
Internal bleeding
Organ failure
Because early Ebola symptoms can easily be mistaken for malaria or other febrile illnesses, anyone presenting with fever and a possible exposure history should be assessed carefully and reported immediately.

How the Virus Spreads

Ebola is not an airborne disease. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids, contaminated materials, or infected animals.

Transmission can occur through:

Contact with blood, vomit, saliva, sweat, urine, stool, breast milk, semen, or other body fluids of an infected person
Handling contaminated objects such as needles, bedding, clothing, or surfaces exposed to infected body fluids
Contact with infected animals, particularly fruit bats, monkeys, and apes, or through the handling and consumption of bushmeat
Participation in unsafe burial practices involving direct contact with the body of a person who has died from Ebola
Preventing Ebola

Preventing Ebola requires a combination of personal protection, infection prevention and control measures, and prompt reporting of suspected cases.

Key prevention measures include:

Practising good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and clean running water or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser
Avoiding contact with body fluids of infected or deceased individuals
Avoiding bushmeat and contact with wild animals, especially bats and primates
Using personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly when caring for suspected or confirmed patients
Following safe burial practices conducted by trained health personnel
Reporting suspected cases immediately to health authorities to enable rapid isolation, testing, and contact tracing.

03/06/2026

Zambart Launches Its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan

In its continued commitment to improving health for all, Zambart officially launched its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan on 1 June 2026 at Zambart House.

Developed through a consultative process undertaken in 2025, the new strategy sets out a transformative vision for the organisation. It positions Zambart as an internationally recognised public health research institution dedicated to addressing complex health challenges, generating high-quality evidence, driving innovation, and influencing policy and practice.

The strategy reaffirms Zambart’s commitment to improving health outcomes through impactful research and the development of world-class researchers who contribute to evidence-informed decision-making. It is anchored on six core values that guide the organisation's work and culture: Excellence, Partnership, Inclusivity, Compassion, Accountability, and Respect.

The strategic plan was officially presented by Zambart Executive Director, Dr. Kwame Shanaube, who shared the organisation’s vision and priorities for the next five years.

27/05/2026

Zambart Officially Launches Yaba Guy Che (“For the Men”) Study

Zambart, in collaboration with Ministry of Health Zambia, has officially launched the (For the Men) Study, a five-year research initiative aimed at improving access to integrated health services for men in Zambia.
The study is funded through international partnerships involving the (National Institute for Health and Care Research) for International Development (DFID)

The launch took place at Urban Hotel in Lusaka.
The Yaba Guy Che study seeks to demonstrate the delivery of an integrated and co-designed system that provides equitable HIV, STI, TB and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and care services for men through strengthened community and primary healthcare systems in high HIV burden urban communities.

The formative phase of the study will focus on co-designing and co-developing digitally supported and non-digital healthcare pathways together with men, community members, healthcare workers and policymakers.
Study Objectives

The first 18 months of the five-year study will focus on formative research with the following objectives:
To create men’s peer monitoring groups aimed at strengthening health system accountability during the implementation of the Yaba Guy Che study.

To co-develop, with potential users and stakeholders, digital and non-digital pathways to HIV/STI/TB and NCD screening, prevention and care services, including related healthcare services.

To develop a “universe of places” mapping exercise identifying locations and times where men commonly congregate in order to guide service delivery and future evaluation of the intervention.

To finalize intervention delivery approaches with potential users and stakeholders.

The study will be conducted in Kanyama, a densely populated urban community in Lusaka with an estimated population of about 525,902 people . The primary study population will consist of men aged 18 years and above residing in Kanyama community.
Speaking during the launch, Prof. helen ayles, Director of Research, Zambart and Principal Investigator, said the study is expected to help address barriers that prevent men from accessing healthcare services, particularly HIV-related services, by creating community-driven and responsive health systems.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School University of Brighton Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp

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16/05/2026

12/05/2026

Halfway There: ZAMSA TB (Atontho) Study Celebrates Milestone and Team Excellence

Last Friday, the ZAMSA team paused from the demands of fieldwork, research, and data collection to celebrate an important milestone, reaching the halfway mark of the study participant recruitment target. The celebration was not only a reflection on scientific progress, but also a moment to recognise the entire team’s efforts and the people whose dedication stands out.

Over the months, the team has built more than a research project. They have built trust within communities, strengthened collaboration across departments, and created a culture of commitment, resilience, and shared purpose. From field teams and clinic staff to data and laboratory personnel, every contribution has played a role in moving the study forward.

The event recognised outstanding team members whose exceptional performance, consistency, and dedication have stood out throughout the study period. Their efforts reflect the passion and teamwork that continue to shape the success of the study.

Presenting the awards was Dr.Suwilanji Simwanza alongside Dr. Kwame Shanaube, who commended the team for their resilience, professionalism, and continued commitment to improving TB surveillance methods.
As the study moves into its next phase, the recruitment halfway mark served as both a celebration of how far the team has come and a reminder of the impact the work will have on the lives of children, families affected by TB, and communities at large.

The ZAMSA TB study, locally known as the Atontho Study, focuses on protecting young children from tuberculosis (TB) as they serve as sentinels helping understand and address recent TB transmission in high-burden communities. It is being implemented at Kanyama and Chipata Level One Hospitals and their corresponding catchment areas.

06/05/2026

Integrating AI into TB Screening: POCUS4TB Shares Key Insights and Progress

In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we work, research, and solve health challenges, Zambart’s POCUS4TB team is actively exploring how these innovations can be meaningfully integrated into tuberculosis (TB) screening. As part of this journey, the team recently held a knowledge sharing meeting at Zambart House, bringing together staff from different departments as well as others from Ridgeway to strengthen shared understanding and spark new ideas.

The session focused on sharing key insights from an AI and digital transformation in health care course that was held in Cambridge and attended by the two POCUS4TB PhD students Kondwelani Mateyo and Mwiza Nyasa.The aim of this knowledge sharing was, to share key insights such as making the concepts practical, relevant, and easy to apply in health research.

The objectives of the meeting were to:
Share the most relevant and easy-to-understand concepts from the AI and Health course.
Provide simple examples of how AI can support ongoing work.
Highlight key challenges and opportunities associated with the use of AI.
Encourage discussion on how AI could be applied within current projects.
This engagement forms part of the POCUS4TB (Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Tuberculosis) initiative, a forward-looking project focused on developing and evaluating an artificial intelligence (AI)-supported point-of-care ultrasound (AI-POCUS) solution. The initiative aims to improve the reach, quality, and efficiency of TB screening, particularly among vulnerable adults..

In the current phase of the project, the team is assessing a range of portable handheld ultrasound devices to identify the most suitable option for field use. Alongside this, two scanning protocols—the 16-zone and 5-zone approaches are being evaluated to determine the most effective and practical method for TB detection.

In parallel, ultrasound images are being systematically collected to support the development of an AI algorithm. These images are shared with the collaborating partner Delft, (Netherlands), where they are used to train and refine the model, with the goal of improving the accuracy, scalability, and performance of TB screening.

Overall, the POCUS4TB initiative reflects Zambart’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge research and strategic collaboration to address pressing public health challenges. By integrating AI with portable diagnostic technologies, the project has the potential to transform TB screening, making it more accessible, efficient, and responsive to community needs.

04/05/2026

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01/05/2026

Happy Labor Day!

30/04/2026

Zambart Hosts UNZABIOMEDSA Students for International Laboratory Week.

Zambart marked this year’s International Laboratory Week by hosting students from the University of Zambia Biomedical Society (UNZABIOMEDSA), creating a platform to inspire the next generation of laboratory professionals and researchers.

Held under the theme “Infinity and Beyond for Our Patients,” the event highlighted the critical role laboratories play in improving patient care and advancing public health research. The visit featured a guided laboratory tour and a laboratory-based study marketplace, offering students a firsthand look into Zambart’s work and the technologies driving innovation in diagnostics and research.

Welcoming the students, Zambart Executive Director Dr. Kwame Shanaube emphasised the importance of laboratory science in shaping better health outcomes for communities.
“Every test, every result, and every discovery contributes to improving lives. As scientists and future professionals, you have the opportunity to push boundaries and take public health beyond what we know today.”

The engagement provided an opportunity for students to interact with professionals, gain practical insights, and explore potential career pathways in biomedical and public health research.

Through initiatives such as these, Zambart continues to invest in capacity building and mentorship, nurturing future scientists and reinforcing its mission to advance public health and develop world-class researchers.

28/04/2026

Happy Kenneth Kaunda Day!