Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
A cholera outbreak has hit Gokwe North with two cases having been reported.
Gokwe North District Administrator Mr Isaac Mutambara confirmed the cases.
“We have confirmed two cases of cholera with one patient admitted at Simchembo Clinic and one at Gumunyu Clinic,” said Mr Mutambara.
He said there is also a family in Gumunyu that has developed symptoms consistent with cholera.
“We also have a family that is down with diarrhoea and vomiting but we are yet to diagnose them of cholera,” said the DA.
He said there was a body of a cholera victim who died in Harare that is supposed to be buried in Gokwe and the medical team was on high alert.
“We are expecting the arrival and burial of a body of a cholera victim who perished while in Harare and a lot of people are expected to attend that funeral.
We will dispatch our medical team to attend and monitor the funeral to avoid the spreading of the infection,” said Mr Mutambara.
He said they were in the process of coordinating with local authorities and other stakeholders to mobilise resources like vehicles and ambulances.
“We lack resources in the district but we are doing all we can to mobilise the required vehicles so that we attend to the suspected cases in time. We are working together with our local authorities and other relevant authorities like Gokwe Hospital to try and attend to the cases fast,” said Mr Mutambara.
Gokwe has serious water challenges and people there rely on boreholes and unprotected water sources like dams and rivers.
Cholera which has also been reported in Gweru claimed five lives in Harare and Chitungwiza last week with more than thirty suspected cases having been reported.
derick.khumalo