Cholera scare in Masvingo

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
One new suspected cholera case has been reported here, bringing to four the number of cases that have been reported in the city since the outbreak of the disease in August this year. About 50 cholera deaths have been recorded mainly in Harare from the time the disease broke out.

Masvingo provincial medical director, Dr Amadeaus Shamu on Tuesday said the patient in the latest cholera case was quarantined at a cholera clinic centre in Mucheke suburb.

“We had one suspected case of cholera of a man from Masvingo rural,” he said.

“However, after culturing, it was realised that the patient had no cholera. He tested negative.”

Dr Shamu said the patient was from Masvingo and urged residents to maintain a high standard of hygiene through boiling water they suspected to be unsafe to drink, including borehole water.

“The man is quarantined at our cholera centre at Mucheke Clinic,” he said.

“We have not yet received a positive cholera case emanating from the province, save for the two cases, one fatal, which were imported from Harare.

“However, we still urge people to be extra-cautious through boiling water before drinking.

“Borehole water should not be trusted as it can be contamination and it should be boiled.”

Government has expressed concern over the number of people still showing cholera signs and symptoms, despite vaccination against the disease recently.