Cholera kills 51 in Midlands

CHOLERA has so far claimed over 50 lives in the Midlands Province from over 1 100 cases reported in the last 12 months, with the deaths recorded mostly in the communities.

Kwekwe, Mberengwa, Zvishavane and Shurugwi are the worst-hit districts due to an influx of artisanal miners. Open defecation in areas close to water sources is the major contributor.

Midlands provincial medical director, Dr Mary Muchekeza confirmed the development, saying most artisanal miners relied on unhygienic water sources.

“Cholera continues to be a public health threat requiring sound and multi-sectoral prevention strategies. As of 27 April 2024, the Midlands Province had recorded 1 137 cases and 51 deaths,” she said.

“The major hotspots are the mining districts of Kwekwe, Shurugwi, Mberengwa and Zvishavane.

“Artisanal miners are the most affected group. Key drivers of cholera have been identified as open defecation, poor hygiene and lack of water and sanitation.”

Midlands provincial health promotion officer, Mr Ishmael Mavhenyengwa urged community members to desist from handshakes.

“We have environmental health technicians supervising funerals, but the relatives of the deceased don’t want to listen to them. There is a low-risk perception as people think they are at low risk of contracting cholera,” he said.

Mr Mavhenyengwa said people end up dying from the disease because they delay seeking medical treatment.

“Unfortunately, the alternatives fail to work and people die unnecessarily when they could have gone to the nearest health centre for medical assistance.

“In the province, we have more community deaths ahead of institution deaths because people are taking time without seeking medical treatment,” he said.

Mr Mavhenyengwa said some communities are shunning health care services for religious purposes.

“There is a need for us to work with the media in educating the people, so that we work together and help our communities flush out the gaps.

“The media remains one of the key stakeholders in the control of any outbreak messages,” he said.

Mr Mavhenyengwa said the major signs and symptoms of cholera are rice watery diarrhoea and vomiting, which can cause severe dehydration within a short space of time.

“It is often associated with complications like shock and renal failure, which then kills the patient. As ministry alone, we cannot win the fight against this deadly disease,” he said.

“However, we have also noted that a majority of people are reluctant to adhere to cholera prevention strategies.

“We expect our communities to adhere to preventive measures like washing hands with soap before handling and preparing food and after using the toilet.”