AS the Southern African region continues to record new Cholera cases, Zimbabwe has since recorded 31 new suspected Cholera cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of suspected cases to 98, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.
By Michael Gwarisa
A March 15, 2023 Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Cholera Situation Report indicated that 31 new cholera suspected cases and 3 laboratory confirmed cases were reported.
These were reported from Centenary (15), Beitbridge (11), Chegutu (4) and Chivi (1). 14 of the suspected cases and 1 suspected death brought in dead (BID) were Mozambican nationals from Kadunje Village who sought treatment at Chiwenga Clinic , Centenary District, Mashonaland Central Province, bordering Mozambique,” said the Ministry of Health.
As of 15 March 2023, 1 case is hospitalized at Chivi District Hospital Cholera Treatment Unit (CTU), Masvingo Province. Tests done: 98 RDT done, 18 RDT positive (18.3 % positivity) and Culture 98 culture done, 8 culture positive (8.2 % positivity) 29 New recoveries:
National Recovery Rate is at 99 % & cases in-care 1. As of today, Zimbabwe has 98 suspected cholera cases, 8 confirmed cases, 97 recoveries & 1 Death.
To date, 12 African countries are currently reporting cases, with South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe the latest to detect cholera.
Southern African countries have recorded new Cholera cases. In southern Africa, cholera outbreaks are occurring amid seasonal rains and tropical storms that have caused heavy flooding. In Malawi, which is experiencing its worst-ever cholera outbreak, increased rainfall is slowing outbreak control efforts in some areas, with response teams facing difficulty reaching people in need of assistance due to inaccessible roads and infrastructure damage. Some cholera treatment units have been flooded and there has been an increase in cases reported in some locations following the heavy rainfall.
In Mozambique, Tropical Storm Freddy, which made landfall on 24 February, has caused widespread infrastructure damage. More than 44 000 people have been affected, 55 health facilities damaged or destroyed and nearly 3500 km of road damaged, according to preliminary assessments. Mozambique is facing a cholera outbreak that has affected six of its 11 provinces. The country has seen a sharp increase in cases since December 2022 amid the ongoing rainy season. Cholera vaccination is currently taking place. Neighbouring South Africa.
Meanwhile, new cholera cases in Africa fell to 2880 in the week ending on 26 February, a 37% decline compared with the week before when 4584 cases were recorded. Deaths remained nearly unchanged, declining marginally from 82 to 81 in the same periodAfrica and Zimbabwe have also reported flooding.
