Five new cholera deaths, and 167 cases of the disease have been reported across the country as of Monday, with Chiredzi and Harare topping the list, the Ministry of Health and Childcare said on Tuesday.

In its daily update on the disease, the Ministry said of the 167 new cases, Chiredzi had 30, and Kuwadzana and Glen View in Harare with 23 and 17 cases respectively.

Overall in the country, 55 districts have been affected by the disease since its outbreak on February 12 last year in Chegutu, the Ministry said.

“As of the 1st of January 2024, a cumulative total of 14 688 suspected cholera cases, 67 laboratory confirmed deaths, 258 suspected cholera deaths & one-thousand and six hundred and sixty-eight (1 668) laboratory confirmed cases were reported,” the Ministry said.

It said the cholera outbreak had worryingly spread to more areas than its traditional hotspot districts of Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza.

But the Ministry said the outbreak was largely under control as evidenced by the National Recovery Rate of 96 percent.

The government has since readied the national health system, in terms of funding, facilities and manpower, to deal with the outbreak on an emergency basis.

New Ziana