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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
The Government has officially declared an end to the cholera outbreak after 18 months of response to the diarrhoeal disease.
In a letter addressed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) office in Zimbabwe on August 5, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child, Dr Aspect Maunganidze said no new cholera cases have been reported since June 30.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to notify WHO that the cholera outbreak, which was first reported on February 12, 2023, in Chegutu is now declared over after a protracted 18 months of response,” he said.
“Since the last case was reported in Beitbridge on June 30, 2024, the country has gone for 28 days (four consecutive weeks) without any case being reported from the 63 districts.
“In accordance with guidelines from WHO and The Global Taskforce on Cholera Control, 28 consecutive days without a case signifies the end of a cholera outbreak.
“Cumulatively there were 34 550 suspected cholera cases, 4 221 confirmed cases, 631 suspected deaths and 88 confirmed cholera deaths since the outbreak started,” said Dr Maunganidze.
He thanked WHO for the support rendered in the response to the outbreak.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter