Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
HUNDREDS of learners at St Faith’s Mission High School in Rusape were affected by a severe influenza outbreak last week, with health authorities identifying overcrowding and exposure to cold bathing water as key factors behind the rapid spread of the illness.
The outbreak, which swept through dormitories and classrooms, left eight learners hospitalized, and sparked anxiety among parents, some of whom rushed to the school after rumours falsely suggested the illness was Covid-19.
Normalcy has since returned to the school after health officials contained the outbreak and discharged all affected learners who had been admitted to hospital.
Makoni District Medical Officer, Dr Tendai Nyafesa, confirmed that the outbreak was caused by seasonal influenza and not Covid-19.
“There was an outbreak of flu at St Faith’s High School last Thursday. Learners were presenting with flu-like symptoms including high temperatures, muscle pains, coughing and headaches. About 382 learners were treated at Jairos Jiri Mukuwapasi Clinic and some were taken to a private hospital in Rusape. Eight learners were admitted and all have since been discharged,” said Dr Nyafesa.
He said investigations conducted by health officials pointed to overcrowding at the school as a major contributor to the outbreak.
“The flu outbreak was confined to the school, and we have not recorded any other cases of such magnitude elsewhere in the district. While a few people have been reporting flu symptoms at Rusape General Hospital, they are from different areas and are not linked to this outbreak.
“The illness emerged shortly after a parents’ visiting day, and our assessment of the school suggested that the rapid spread was aided by overcrowding in hostels and classrooms. Learners are crowded together and they also bathe using cold water during winter conditions,” he said.
Health experts say overcrowding creates ideal conditions for respiratory viruses such as influenza to spread quickly. In congested hostels and poorly ventilated classrooms, a single infected learner can transmit the virus to dozens of others through coughing, sneezing and close physical contact.
Medical experts also warn that prolonged exposure to cold conditions can increase vulnerability to respiratory infections. Bathing with cold water during winter may place stress on the body and weaken natural defences, particularly among adolescents living in crowded environments where viruses circulate easily.
The outbreak has once again brought renewed attention to accommodation and infrastructure challenges at the Anglican-run institution, which has struggled with over-enrolment in recent years.
Learner numbers have reportedly outgrown available classroom and hostel space, resulting in congestion that has strained existing facilities. Previous proposals to erect temporary structures to ease overcrowding were not approved, forcing the school to continue accommodating growing enrolment within limited infrastructure.
The pressure on facilities has previously triggered unrest among learners and concern from parents.
In response, the School Development Committee (SDC) and the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland have embarked on an infrastructure expansion programme aimed at easing congestion.
Five new classrooms have already been completed, while construction of a 200-bed hostel is currently underway to improve accommodation and reduce pressure on existing dormitories.
Health officials have recommended urgent measures to prevent future outbreaks, including decongesting classrooms and hostels to meet recommended occupancy levels, providing warm bathing water during winter, regularly disinfecting shared facilities and strengthening health education on hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and early reporting of symptoms.
The outbreak triggered panic among some parents who feared a return of Covid-19 after hearing unverified reports circulating within the community.
However, Dr Nyafesa dismissed the claims, assuring parents that tests conducted by health authorities confirmed the illness was seasonal influenza.
Efforts to obtain comment from school head, Mr Arnold Makamba, were unsuccessful as his mobile phones were unreachable.
However, in a message to parents at the height of the outbreak, Mr Makamba acknowledged the situation and assured stakeholders that affected learners were receiving medical attention.
“There has been a cold flu in the school which has affected most of our students since Thursday night, July 16, 2026. Some of the students have been attended to at our local clinic and at Tait Medical Centre,” he said.
