With some Zimbabweans dreading a rebound of a cholera epidemic, a senior Ministry of Health and Child Care official has allayed the fears saying there are no cases in the country yet noting they are on high alert.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
The country was hit twice by the epidemic which was reported first in Glen View and Budiriro high density suburbs.
Zimbabwe got affected by Cholera in 2008 which saw many mortalities and 2008 with low mortality rates but the disease was severe due to antimicrobial resistance.
Malawi is currently the hardest hit with close to 1 300 deaths.
Other countries like Zambia, and South Africa have reportedly been recording some cholera cases.
Speaking with HealthTimes yesterday, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said they have been observing trends obtaining in Malawi and other countries. He said they are on high alert.
“In Zimbabwe there are no cases of cholera but we know Malawi has got cases. We are on the lookout for cholera and all the preventative measures have been taken. We are rushing to the Director of Public Health Dr (Munyaradzi) Dobbie,” he said. “He was telling us he is on a cleanup mission for the towns.”
He encouraged Zimbabweans to continue safe hygiene and sanitation practices.
” So we encourage the population to remain vigilant and practice hygiene and sanitation and all those things such as washing our hands before eating. Washing our fruits and vegetables with clean water before consumption,” Dr Mangwiro said.
In 2018, the epidemic response was multisectorial which saw the private sector chipping in, some local and others international.
