malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
SUSPECTED cholera cases more than doubled to 2 594 over the 30-day period up to Thursday last week, representing a marked increase in new infections, especially in Manicaland and Harare provinces.
Only 961 cases had been reported by May 15.
Manicaland has so far recorded most of the cases, at 1 080, followed by Harare, which has 886.
The authorities recorded 31 new suspected cases on Thursday, with 21 being reported in the capital; while Buhera and Chimanimani had seven and three, respectively.
There are fears that Harare province is increasingly becoming the epicentre of the new outbreak, which is largely being driven by poor sanitation and the shortage of potable water. Harare City Council health services director Dr Prosper Chonzi said a mass vaccination campaign was on the cards.
“Our counterparts in Malawi have already started their vaccination programme to fight the outbreak, which had threatened the country, and since they started the vaccination, this has proven to be robust in fighting cholera.
“We anticipate taking the same route soon.
“We urge the public to stay alert because cholera is real and it is rapidly spreading by the day in the country.”
Since the first case was reported on February 12 in Chegutu, Mashonaland West province, health authorities have identified 17 districts as cholera hotspots.
These are Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murewa, Mwenezi, Seke and Hwedza.
Zimbabwe is among the 14 countries that have reported cholera outbreaks since the beginning of the year.
Government is planning to roll out a nationwide cholera vaccination campaign soon.
Forty-nine people have succumbed to the disease.
Online Reporter