GWANDA District Medical Officer, Dr Blessings Gwarimbo, has declared that the town is safe from cholera.
In his District Summary Report of January 24. 2024 he said there are no suspected new cases and that they have 28 suspected cumulative cases.
“For now I can confirm that the district is cholera safe with no new cases although there are seven cumulative. There is no new culture confirmed while cumulative culture has three cases with three recoveries,” said Dr Gwarimbo.
Conclusion of the index case investigation not yet certain, however, the current findings indicate person-to-person transmission within the affected family with possible link to Beitbridge hotspots,” said the Dr Gwarimbo.
Gwanda Environmental Health Technician Promotions Officer, Natasha Zindoga, explained that cholera is a diarrhoeal disease caused by a germ called vibrio cholera, which is characterised by severe watery diarrhoea and vomiting.
How cholera is spread:
– Eating contaminated food, fruits, vegetables and drinking contaminated water;
– Eating with dirty unwashed hands;
– Not using recommended toilet for defecation; and
– Drinking water from unprotected sources.
How to prevent cholera:
– By storing all drinking water in clean containers and keeping them covered;
– By only drinking water from safe sources such as tap, borehole or protected well or spring;
– By disinfecting all water through either boiling or use of water purifying tablets or solutions;
– By washing hands thoroughly with soap or ash after taking care of a person suffering from cholera, before handling, preparing and eating food;
– By washing fruits and vegetables under safe running water before eating them;
– By always using a recommended toilet and keeping it clean;
– By disposing of all refuse in a properly constructed refuse pit;
– By avoiding shaking hands at public gatherings, particularly funerals during a cholera outbreak; and
– By cooking food thoroughly and eating it whilst hot.
If you suspect cholera in your area, advise health workers at your nearest health facility immediately.
