APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe is grappling with a worsening cholera outbreak, with 770 new cases and 16 suspected deaths reported in the last three days alone.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care said on Monday that more than 18,000 suspected cases have been recorded since February 12 last year when the first incident was reported.
“As of January 14, 2024, a cumulative total of 18,100 suspected cholera cases, 68 laboratory-confirmed deaths, 323 suspected cholera deaths and 2,065 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported,” the ministry said in a statement.
It reported that the outbreak “has now spread to more than the 17 traditional cholera hotspot districts of Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza.”
The first case was detected in Chegutu town, Mashonaland West Province, and since then, the situation has escalated significantly, with all of the country’s 10 provinces and 60 districts now affected.
In response to the crisis, the ministry said it has intensifying efforts to control the spread of the disease.
This includes conducting community event-based surveillance training along migration corridors and conducting health education campaigns nationwide.
Cholera is a water-borne disease caused by drinking water from unprotected sources and Zimbabwe is particularly prone to outbreaks of the disease due to its dilapidated water infrastructure.
JN/APA