Chipinge cholera fears allayed

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has dispatched rapid response teams in areas along the Mozambican border and Chipinge District to contain the spread of cholera.

This follows four suspected cholera cases which were reported in the area last week.

In an interview on Wednesday, Chipinge District Medical Director, Dr Brian Makumbe, said the ministry was on high alert with medicine and other supplies being mobilised and dispatched to the affected communities. Dr Makumbe dismissed reports that two people had succumbed to cholera in the district last week and attributed the deaths to diarrhoea.

“I can confirm that three suspected cholera cases were detected at Mabee area in Chipinge South. All the three cases tested negative when they were tested at Chipinge District Hospital. The samples were further tested in Harare and were also reported to be negative.

“Unfortunately two of the three patients died, but they succumbed to diarrehoa. They delayed to seek medication. They only visited the clinic after four days. The remaining patient was discharged on treatment and is in stable condition,” said Dr Makumbe.

He said only one cholera case was reported at Rupangwana Clinic in Chiredzi just few kilometres from Chipinge District.

“So far we have one case of cholera which was recorded at Rupangwana Clinic in Chiredzi District. The patient who was diagnosed has contacts in Chipinge Districts,” he added.

Dr Makumbe said emergency preparedness teams were dispatched in areas along the border with Mozambique.

“There are reports that there is a cholera outbreak in the neighbouring Mozambique and the ministry together with partners has dispatched response teams there.

“They are temporary staying at clinics such as Mabee, Zamuchiya, Mahenye, Vheneka, Gwenzi, Zona and Hakwata where there is an influx of Mozambicans crossing the border into Zimbabwe,” he said.

Partners such as MSF, World Vision and IRC have all donated towards containing the disease.