LUSAKA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed as meningitis broke out in Mwense district in Zambia's Luapula Province, authorities confirmed on Thursday.

Health Minister Elijah Muchima announced the outbreak following the deaths of two students at a local secondary school on June 8 and July 3.

He said their deaths were preceded by a surge in students presenting flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, headache, vomiting and diarrhea.

According to the minister, laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of meningitis-causing bacteria, with a total of 83 suspected cases reported so far, while five are confirmed.

In the past 24 hours, two new suspected cases have been recorded. Currently, 17 patients remain hospitalized, and 16 have been discharged since the outbreak began, said Muchima.

The Health Ministry has deployed national response teams and established isolation centers at two hospitals in the province. A mass screening exercise is also underway, and infection prevention measures have been intensified at the affected school.

"We have already set up teams to respond to the outbreak, and various public health interventions are taking place. The initial risk assessment of this meningitis outbreak has been completed, and it is classified as high," the minister added.