Rise is cholera cases worries Govt

GOVERNMENT is concerned with the sporadic outbreak of cholera cases that are being reported in Harare, epidemiology and disease control director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Portia Manangazira has said.

In an interview, Dr Manangazira said 47 suspected cases of the disease — 14 in Stoneridge, 2 in Belvedere and 31 in Chitungwiza — have been reported since April 5, 2018, and 23 cases have since been confirmed.

“Our worry is that cases keep cropping up and we do not know where and when is the next outbreak,” said Dr Manangazira.

She said the provision of clean water and sanitation facilities to newly-established settlements such as Stoneridge suburb was still outstanding.

“Just this morning (last week), we had a meeting with the department of civil protection where issues of sanitation in unregularised settlements were topical.

“Most of these areas do not have piped water or sewer reticulation systems.

“In addition, the city council cannot also collect refuse because there are no proper roads,” said Dr Manangazira.

The first case of the latest outbreak was reported on April 5, 2018 in Stoneridge after a 24-yearold man died at Chitungwiza General Hospital after being admitted after suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting.

Later in the evening, the deceased’s father, who was 46 years old, also died at his home in Stoneridge.

On April 10 and April 12, two more confirmed cases were reported in Belvedere.

Furthermore, on April 11, there was also a reported case of the disease in Chitungwiza in an area close to Stoneridge.

Government says Chitungwiza continues to report suspected cases of cholera, the majority of which are positive.