Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
BULAWAYO recorded a sharp rise in diarrhoea and influenza cases in July, while also recording a new case of dysentery, raising fresh concerns over public health as the city continues to grapple with water supply challenges, sanitation issues, illegal vending and food safety risks.
The city recorded 233 diarrhoea cases in July, up from 195 in June, while influenza infections nearly doubled from 95 to 182 over the same period.
The increase comes as Bulawayo remains on high alert for 13 potentially dangerous diseases and adverse health events, among them cholera, typhoid, food poisoning, wild poliovirus, measles and other gastrointestinal illnesses.
The recording of a dysentery case during the month has further heightened concern about diseases commonly linked to poor sanitation, contaminated food and unsafe water.
According to the latest Bulawayo City Council (BCC) disease surveillance report, health authorities have activated enhanced emergency response measures aimed at detecting, containing and monitoring potential disease outbreaks.
In a report submitted on August 6, BCC director of health services Dr Edwin Sibanda said authorities were intensifying surveillance and response systems across key areas of public health.
“The province implemented enhanced Emergency Response Mechanisms across all pillars to detect, contain, monitor, predict and manage disease outbreaks as they continued to evolve,” he said.
The city recorded 38 more diarrhoea cases in July than in June, while influenza infections increased by 87 cases, underlining the growing burden of communicable diseases under active surveillance.
Although the council report does not directly attribute the rise in diarrhoea cases to Bulawayo’s water supply situation, the figures have renewed scrutiny of the city’s water and sanitation systems.
During July, council collected 69 water samples for laboratory testing, with 58 samples, representing 84 percent, meeting the required standard for total coliform counts.
However, a significant gap emerged in water quality monitoring after authorities failed to test for faecal and non-faecal coliforms due to a shortage of the required testing media.
The inability to conduct those tests limits the city’s capacity to fully assess potential contamination risks at a time when diarrhoeal diseases remain a major public health concern.
Diarrhoeal illnesses are often associated with contaminated water, poor sanitation and unsafe food handling, making comprehensive water testing critical for early detection and prevention of disease outbreaks.
Council also conducted microbial surveillance at healthcare facilities, collecting 10 samples from nine institutions, including Princess Margaret Rose, Mahatshula, Dr Shennan, Nketa, Emganwini, Nkulumane, Maqhawe and Tshabalala clinics.
As part of environmental surveillance efforts, two sewage effluent samples were collected from sentinel sites in Richmond and Cowdray Park and submitted to the National Virology Laboratory for poliovirus testing.
The local authority also inspected 75 boreholes being used as alternative water sources, with hygiene conditions reported to be satisfactory.
Beyond water quality concerns, council says sanitation and waste management remain major challenges, particularly in areas affected by growing illegal vending activities.
The health, housing and education committee reported persistent littering in several parts of the city, with illegal trading contributing significantly to deteriorating environmental conditions.
In response, council carried out 24 clean-up campaigns and conducted 15 waste management awareness sessions during July.
Food safety has also emerged as an increasing concern, particularly within the Central Business District, where food is reportedly being sold without full compliance with health regulations.
During committee deliberations, Ward 23 Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo raised concerns over congestion and widespread violations of council by-laws, particularly among vendors.
She warned that the sale of food without proper health and safety standards posed a potential risk to public health.
Council’s health inspectorate subsequently intensified enforcement efforts, inspecting 1 059 premises and carrying out 1 202 inspections, including domiciliary visits, during the month.
The inspections covered food trading, non-food trading and other business premises across the city.
The latest surveillance data presents a mixed picture for public health in Bulawayo.
While malaria cases detected through rapid diagnostic tests fell from nine in June to two in July, several other health indicators moved in the opposite direction.
Dog-bite cases increased from 60 to 69, although no rabies cases were recorded. The city also recorded three snake-bite cases and three maternal deaths during the month.
