Harare on cholera alert

Talent Gore

THE City Health Department says it is on high alert to contain any cholera outbreak in Harare.

This follows an outbreak of the disease in Mozambique and Malawi.

City Health Services director, Dr Prosper Chonzi, said there were so far no confirmed cholera cases in this country.

Aging infrastructure has been blamed for the constant sewer pipes bursts across the city, specifically in high-density suburbs, sparking fears of a cholera outbreak and other water-borne diseases.

“There are cases of cholera in Malawi (over 5 000) and Mozambique.

“These are our neighbours so any bus from the two countries might result in positive cases in Zimbabwe, particularly in Harare.

“So far, we have not had any confirmed case, but we admitted a suspected case which came out negative, when we tested a traveller from Zambia, last week,” he said.

Dr Chonzi urged residents to be on high alert.

“However, it doesn’t mean we have to be complicit.

“We want all residents in Harare to be on high alert for the disease.

“All diarrhoea cases in Harare are being treated for free at all Council clinics.”