This is part of comprehensive measures being adopted by the
Government to curb the spread of cholera, which has recently become a threat to
life across the country and in the region.
So far 71 confirmed and 336 suspected cholera deaths have
been recorded across all parts of the country with new cases on a sharp
increase over the past few days.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by bacteria
and occurs when one consumes food and water contaminated with cholera bacteria.
The water-borne disease causes severe dehydration, and
diarrhoea and can lead to death. The disease affects both children and adults
and can kill within hours if untreated.
According to health experts, most people infected with
cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria is present in their
faeces for 1-10 days after infection and is shed back into the environment,
potentially infecting other people.
On Wednesday, 242 new suspected cholera cases were recorded
in Zimbabwe and 28 confirmed cases with reports that so far, a total of 321
cases are in hospital, official reports show.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Child
Care said funerals have been cited as super-spreaders of the water-borne
disease, which was first recorded in Chegutu town, Mashonaland West Province.
To date suspected and confirmed cases have been reported in 60 districts in all
the 10 provinces of the country since the beginning of 2024.
The outbreak has now spread to more than the 17 traditional
cholera hotspot districts of Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge,
Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare,
Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has realised that
funeral gatherings are acting as super-spreaders of cholera in Zimbabwe,” said
the ministry.
“Therefore, the ministry is advising all members of the
public to report all deaths that occur in the community and that all burials
especially from diarrhoeal causes, whether proven cholera or not should be
supervised by health workers. Eating at burials should be limited.
“As of January 17, 2024, Zimbabwe had 18 865 suspected
cholera cases, 2 223 confirmed cases, 18 137 recoveries and 71 confirmed deaths
and 336 suspected deaths.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has since
announced a cholera outbreak in Hwange District in Matabeleland North province
following five suspected cases detected in the coal mining town. The cases were
reported on Sunday and are all being monitored at the Hwange Colliery Hospital.
All along Matabeleland North had six cases in Binga and
Umguza before the new cases in Hwange.
Stakeholders in the district held a meeting at the District
Development Co-ordinator’s office in Hwange on Wednesday where the health and
emergency response teams were activated. Notifying the district stakeholders
about the state of cholera, Hwange District Medical Officer Dr Fungayi Musinami
called for vigilance among citizens saying sanitation and hygiene were key in
controlling the outbreak, as well as preventing future outbreaks.
“This communication serves to notify all stakeholders and
residents that Hwange District has declared a cholera outbreak,” he said.
“Cases at this present time have been confirmed in Hwange
urban. Response systems have been activated. All are encouraged to follow
cholera prevention guidelines and seek medical attention early in the event of
any diarrhoeal illness.”
According to the ministry, Matabeleland North province has
11 cumulative suspected cholera cases, six of them recovered and five are in
hospital care.
A recent cholera situational report shows that 60 districts
have reported cases in the country as of Wednesday.
“As of today 17 January, Zimbabwe has recorded 18 865
suspected cholera cases 2 223 confirmed cases, 18 137 recoveries, 71 confirmed
deaths and 336 suspected deaths,” read the report.
There were 23 laboratory-confirmed results, and the cases
were reported countrywide. Development partner organisations such as the United
Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) have already come on
board to work closely with the Government to assist 2,2 million people with
oral cholera vaccination in the 29 high-risk districts that have been affected
by the outbreak. Chronicle
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