Cholera under control: Minister

Sunday Mail Reporter

THE setting up of cholera treatment camps, suspension of social gatherings and increased surveillance have seen a decline in the number of confirmed cholera cases, a Cabinet minister has said.

Cholera cases have been mainly concentrated in Buhera district, Manicaland province. Previously, the country was experiencing an average of 50 suspected cases of cholera per day, but now the daily average is 20. In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said although Buhera remains the epicentre of the outbreak, the national situation is generally under control.

“Cholera cases are actually decreasing. We used to have much more than 23 cases on a daily basis,” he said.

Last week, the country recorded 61 suspected cases, four confirmed cases, and one suspected cholera death.

The majority of cases were in Buhera district, with other cases reported in Chipinge, Bikita, Mutare City, Zaka and Harare. On Thursday, 40 new suspected cases, one confirmed infection and one suspected death were reported, with the majority of cases in Buhera.

This prompted Government to impose restrictions to stop the spread of the disease, including limiting numbers at funerals and stopping some social gatherings in affected areas.

Meanwhile, cholera treatment camps have also been set up in various areas and Government has since increased surveillance and active case finding working with local leadership and village health workers.

Cholera is a water-borne disease that spreads quickly in areas with poor sanitation and is caused by consuming contaminated water or food.