14 000 influenza cases recorded in one week

Two people reportedly died in Bulawayo after showing symptoms of a deadly influenza bug that hit the city and other parts of the country.

According to the latest Ministry of Health and Child Welfare weekly report during the week ending 22 July a total of 14 406 cases of influenza were recorded.

“There were no deaths reported this week. Manicaland had reported one death during week 22, which they confirmed to be an error from the reporting centre,” read part of the report.

According to the report, the cumulative figure for influenza is 158 428 between January to July.

Cases of clinical dysentery cases reported during week 29 were 674 and one death.

“Of the reported cases 197 (29.2percent) were from children under five years of age. The death was reported from United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).”

According to the report, provinces which reported the highest figure of dysentery cases are Masvingo on 132 and Matabeleland North with 110.

The cumulative figure for dysentery is 20 987 and 14 deaths. The total diarrhoea cases reported for week 29 were 9 619 cases and 11 deaths.

“Of the reported cases 6 002 (62.4percent) and four deaths were reported from children under five years of age. The deaths were reported from Gweru District (2), Mpilo Central Hospital (5), Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (3) and Harare Central Hospital (1).

“The provinces which reported a high number of diarrhoea cases are Midlands (1 528) and Masvingo 1 459,” reads the report.

The cumulative figure for common diarrhoea is 247 361 and 158 deaths. There were no suspected cases of cholera reported for week 29.

“The cumulative figure for cholera, from 2 May to 19 June 2012, is 22 cases, 11 confirmed cases, 11 suspected cases and one death,” reads part of the report.

However, this outbreak was declared over on 20 June 2012. Twenty four new suspected typhoid cases were reported that week.

“All the cases were reported from Chitungwiza. The cumulative figure for typhoid is 4 671 suspected cases, 71 confirmed cases and one death since October 2011.”

A total of 4 342 malaria cases and one death were reported.

“Of the cases reported 757 (17.4percent) and no deaths were from the under five years of age. The death was reported from Mutoko District in Mashonaland East province. The provinces which reported the high number of malaria cases were Manicaland (1 422) and Mashonaland West (1 180),” reads the report.

The cumulative figure for malaria is 243 536 and 172 deaths (CFR0.07 percent) and all provinces have since been reminded to investigate all malaria deaths.