Hwange hit by Cholera outbreak.

Hwange (New Zian)- The mining town of Hwange has been hit by a Cholera outbreak with the town recording the highest number of suspected new cases of 97 as of January 24, 2024.

In a Situation Report released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Hwange district is leading in the number of suspected Cholera cases in Matebeleland North Province and two deaths have so far been recorded according to statistics spanning from January 15 to 24.

According to the Civil Protection Committee, the hot spots of Cholera outbreak are Cinderella, Number 2 and Number 3 residential areas which are houses in the Concession area.

Residents who spoke to Indonsakusa indicated that common ablution and poor sanitation are the key drivers of the cholera outbreak in the Concession area.

“We have inadequate water supply in our residential areas, the common ablutions are always filthy dirty and in most cases they have burst pipes,” said Lindokuhle Moyo a Hwange resident.

Cinderella residential also known as Number 1 North in Ward 10 was first to record a cholera case. The state of the common ablution in this residential area is an eye sore with blocked sewages a common sight.

Local Councillor Samuel Tshuma revealed that the state of the ablution in his Ward needs serious attention in order to curb Cholera.

“Our toilets and sewer systems are not working properly, we are always having shortages of water but now the Colliery company is trying to ensure that the sewer pipes are repaired.

We need to have access to clean water so that we are able to fight this epidemic. We cannot survive without the provision of water because without reliable water supplies it will be difficult to fight Cholera as a community,” said.

Cinderella residential area has more than 400 households but only has 19 ablutions built for the residents and most the time only a few are functional.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Child Care Hwange District Environment Officer Junior Bande said the ministry was working hard to reduce the epidemic.

“Victoria Falls hospital has set aside 45 beds for suspected cases. Mkhosana Clinic has been identified as an isolation centre. Rehydration centres will also be opened at all health facilities to cater for mild cases with different stakeholders also coming in to assist us,” said Bande.

She said there was a need to carry out disease surveillance and ensure the enforcement of the public health laws while creating awareness on cholera in order to combat its spread.

Stakeholders such as police have been on cleanliness awareness campaigns in order to curb the spread of cholera. Last week the town authorities ordered a closure of all unlicenced food outlets and banned church gatherings which do not have ablution facilities.