Harare, (New Ziana) – Two more districts have reported anthrax as the Ministry of Health and Child Care recorded 19 new cases around the country.
Anthrax is endemic in Zimbabwe and outbreaks are common annually with an outbreak in several districts resulting in 513 human infections, many livestock infections, and 36 livestock deaths that forced the government to import 426 000 anthrax vaccine doses from Botswana to contain the outbreak.
In addition to 19 anthrax cases reported in Gokwe districts towards the end of last month, two Midlands’ districts reported 14 new cases for the week ending December 1 with six in Gokwe South district and eight in Gokwe North district.
Three fresh cases were recorded in Sanyati district in Mashonaland West and Bikita district in Masvingo province recorded two cases bringing the cumulative figures for anthrax cases countrywide to 487 but no deaths have been recorded.
Meanwhile, the Ministry said 428 cases of malaria and 2 deaths were reported this week with the deaths reported from Mutare district in Manicaland province and Binga district in Matabeleland North province, the Ministry.
“Of the reported cases 75 (17.5 percent) were from under five years of age. The provinces that reported the highest number of cases were Manicaland (168) and Mashonaland Central (105). The cumulative figures for malaria cases are 39 465 and 88 deaths,” it said.
It said three suspected typhoid cases were recorded during the fortnight under review although no deaths were reported as a result of the water-borne disease. The Ministry also reported that 7 deaths were reported during the week under review when 7 153 common diarrhoea cases were recorded.
“The deaths were reported from Sally Mugabe Central Hospital (2), Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (1) and Ruwa Local Board (1) in Harare Metropolitan province, United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) (2) in Bulawayo Metropolitan province, and Kwekwe district (1) Midlands province.
“Of the reported cases, (59%) were from under five years of age. The provinces that reported the highest number of cases were Mashonaland East (1 099) and Mashonaland West (1 414). The cumulative figures for common diarrhoea are 335 191 cases and 171 deaths,” said the Ministry.
New Ziana
