At least 5 suspected cholera deaths and 264 new cases were reported on Monday as the country continues to battle the medieval water born disease, which has now spread to 60 of the 64 districts.
In an update, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the new cases were recorded in Chiredzi (45), Chipinge (33), Makonde (18), Zvimba (18), Chitungwiza City (15), Glenview (14), Mutare (13), Seke (11), Mberengwa (11), Beatrice Road Infectious Disease Hospital (9), Bikita (9), Buhera (6), Bindura (6), Mazowe (5), Gutu (5),Centenary (5), Budiriro (5), Zvishavane (5), Chimanimani (4) Gokwe North (4). Chivi (4), Chikomba (3), Highfield (3), Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (2), Rutsanana
(2), Hwange (2), Mt Darwin (2), Hurungwe (1), Kariba (1), Mudzi (1) Sanyati (1) and Gwanda (1).
“60 districts have reported cases so far in the country as of 14 January 2024. 390 are cases hospitalized at Chiredzi (83), Bikita (13), Chivi (16), Masvingo (1), Gutu (4), in Masvingo Province, Buhera (21), Mutare Rural (16),Chipinge (48), Mutare City (3), Chimanimani (1), Mutasa (1) in Manicaland province, BRIDH (43), Chitungwiza City (7) in Harare province, Mberengwa (7), in Midlands province, Mazowe (14), Bindura (11),Centenary (7), Mt Darwin (4) in Mash Central province, Makonde (40), Zvimba (18), Kariba (1), Hurungwe (1) Sanyati (1) in Mash West province, Gwanda (4) in Mat South province, UMP (8), Marondera (4) Seke (8), Chikomba (3) Mash East province and Thorngrove Hospital (2) in Bulawayo province,” it said.
Since the start of the latest outbreak in Chegutu last February, Zimbabwe has recorded 18 100 suspected cholera cases, 2 136 confirmed cases, 17 316 recoveries, 71 confirmed deaths and 323 suspected deaths putting the case fatality rate at 2.2 percent.
Meanwhile, the Masvingo provincial information officer, Rodgers Irimayi has said the rapid response teams from the Ministry of Health and Child Care helped save lives and contain the spread of the outbreak in Chiredzi, treating patients under trees before erecting tents at sites where outbreaks were reported in Mapanza in the district.
“Information trending on social media on cholera response in Chiredzi are baseless as a cholera response team urgently reacted and visited the area of Mapanza on the first day when an outbreak was recorded,” he said.
“On arrival the response team found very sick people and they promptly attended to them. They went on to pitch a tent and more tents were erected thereafter. It is imperative to clarify that cholera should be treated on site and promptly.”
He said the situation in Chiredzi is now under control and encouraged communities to report suspected cholera cases promptly to prevent loss of lives.
“Government is calling upon all stakeholders to join hands in the fight against cholera. We have various health partners, the media, schools and tertiary institutions and the religious sector to campaign against the further spread. Cleanliness is being advocated for in the fight. Washing of hands with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds is encouraged or the use of sanitisers where they can be afforded,” Irimayi said.
The outbreak in the Mkwasine area of Chiredzi has been blamed on lack of toilets and portable water with the people drinking water from canals.
New Ziana
