Fears over typhoid spreading

THE typhoid outbreak in Gweru City is suspected to have spread to other towns in the Midlands Province after reports of suspected cases of the water-borne disease in Zvishavane, Kwekwe, Shurugwi and Mberengwa.

Speaking during a briefing with Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, Midlands Minister of State Cde Owen Ncube said there were reports that people in the four districts were showing symptoms similar to those of typhoid.

Minister Ncube said there was high possibility that it could be typhoid because people in the Midlands Province were very mobile and commute to Gweru from surrounding towns on a daily basis.

“Minister (Parirenyatwa), we have reports that there are people in Zvishavane, Kwekwe and Shurugwi who have similar symptoms to those that people are experiencing here in Gweru.

“The Midlands capital could be the source of those sicknesses because most people from these towns work in Gweru and they commute every day,” he said.

“We really need to be on high alert and enhance our intervention strategies so that we avoid the spreading of the disease to other towns or even provinces because geographically we are at the epicentre of the country.”

Midlands provincial medical director Dr Simon Nyadundu concurred with Minister Ncube that there were reported cases of people who could be suffering from the same disease in Zvishavane, Kwekwe, Shurugwi and Mberengwa.

He said there was need to first carry out investigations to ascertain if it was indeed typhoid.

Dr Nyadundu said there was need for a rapid response in dealing with such cases.

“I can confirm that we have received a report that there are people who are suffering from illnesses that have similar symptoms to those that we are experiencing in Gweru,” he said.

“However, we are investigating the cases so that we are sure on whether it is typhoid or not.”

Dr Nyadundu said so far 1 313 people had been treated of suspected typhoid, while seven died from the disease.

He said Government was making frantic efforts to combat the disease.

Dr Parirenyatwa said he suspected the deaths could be more.

“We are here to investigate that (to see if the deaths are more),” he said. “That is the purpose of our visit.”