adminEpidemiology and disease suveillance director in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Dr Portia Manangazira confirmed the Chipinge death. She, however, said investigations were underway to establish the source and other possible cases in Manicaland.
“We are told the patient died before getting any treatment from the health centre and has not obviously been captured in our system. The patient failed to get treatment resulting in the death,” Dr Manangazira said.
Last week, two new confirmed cholera cases were reported in Chiredzi while another was reported at Harare Central Hospital. The figures brings the total number of cholera cases recorded so far to six. The first case was reported in Beitbridge.
“What is worrying is that the cases are scattered all over the country and are not concentrated in one area, which gives us a challenge in combating the disease,” said Dr Manangazira.
She said since the first cases were reported in Beitbridge and Chiredzi, a warning had since been issued in Manicaland to be on high alert.
“We are worried because the cases continue to increase. The first case was recorded in Beitbridge at the beginning of March and three weeks later, the cases had risen to six,” she
said.
Cholera is a water borne disease caused by failure to observe sanitation and hygiene precautions such as washing hands with soap or ash before and after meals.
Online Reporter