Angelah Nothando Mlotshwa
Environment and Health Reporter
Zimbabwe has confirmed 76 Cholera cases since the outbreak of the diarrhoeal disease in February this year.
According to the Cholera situational report from the Ministry of Health and Child Care 76 cases have been confirmed out of 404 suspected. Four deaths have so far been confirmed.
The affected Provinces include Masvingo Provinces, Manicalands Provinces and Matebeleland South and mainly these are the hotspots.
The Cholera situation in Zimbabwe is closely linked to a lack of safe drinking water, poor sanitation, declining health infrastructure, and reduced healthcare staff.
ZIM GBC NEWS once engaged with the Bulawayo Provincial Medical Director Maphios Siamuchembu who stated that this disease is deadly as it can easily spread through out the country.
“Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease that can kill fast. It can spread very fast. In a matter of weeks, the whole country can have the disease from one person. Cholera is caused by a bacterium called vibrio cholera. It is spread through the oro- fecal route, meaning that you get it by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water or drinks”, said Siamuchembu.
“It is prevented by practicing good hygiene, washing hands frequently with soap and running water, eating food prepared hygienically, and drinking safe water. Using toilets properly and washing hands with clean water and soap after using the toilet,” he added.
“It’s caused by a tiny organism called vibrio cholera, a bacteria. Good hygiene and adequate sanitation, including clean water and proper sewerage systems can be preventative. Cholera can kill within hours from dehydration.”, said an Obstetrics and Gynecologist Elton Sengurai.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only around 10 percent with cholera have severe symptoms.
These symptoms may be sudden onset of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mild to severe dehydration, tiredness, moodiness, sunken eyes, dry mouth, shriveled skin, extreme thirst, reduced urine output, irregular heart rate, and low blood pressure amongst others.
During the 6th Cabinet briefing it was stated that the government had set aside US$24 million to try and fight against Cholera and currently campaigns against the disease are being carried out throughout the country.
Zimbabwe was affected by cholera in 2008, 2009, 2018, and 2019. The outbreaks of 2008 and 2009 affected 98 592 people with 4288 succumbing to the disease. These years cases had a Case Fatality Rate (CRF) of 4.3%. The most recent outbreak occurred from September 2018 to March 2019 recording 10730 cases and 69 deaths were recorded, (CRF 0.64%).