By Michael Gwarisa
The number of confirmed cholera cases in Kariba has risen to 36, with no new fatalities, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has confirmed.
The latest outbreak, which began on November 6, 2024, in the fishing community of Gache Gache, has primarily affected fishermen and villagers who are presenting symptoms of cholera. One death has been recorded since the outbreak began.
In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr. Godfrey Muza, the Kariba District Medical Officer under the MoHCC, confirmed that the outbreak remains localized.
Cholera cases are still confined to Gache Gache, mainly in the village areas. As of yesterday, we have recorded 36 cases, but fortunately, no additional fatalities,” said Dr. Muza.
The outbreak comes just four months after the government declared an end to a nationwide cholera outbreak that affected multiple communities across Zimbabwe. Dr. Muza urged residents of Kariba to prioritize hygiene and food safety to curb the spread of the disease.
“I urge all residents of Kariba to practice good hygiene, ensure all food is thoroughly cooked, and wash their hands before eating. I also encourage washing all fruits and food items before consumption,” he said.
Zimbabwe had declared an end to its previous cholera outbreak on July 30, 2024. That outbreak, which began in February 2023, was the second-largest in the country’s history. It impacted all 10 provinces and 62 districts, resulting in 34,549 suspected cases, 4,217 confirmed cases, and 33,831 recoveries. A total of 718 people died, with 87 laboratory-confirmed deaths and 631 suspected deaths, translating to a case fatality rate of 2.1%.
