Chinhoyi declares war on illegal food outlets

CHINHOYI Municipality has launched a blitz on unregistered food outlets in a bid to prevent a possible cholera outbreak in Mashonaland West’s provincial capital.

This follows a cholera outbreak in Chegutu, where the Ministry of Health and Child Care has confirmed 54 suspected cases.

Five people have died so far from the disease in Chegutu.

Chinhoyi Town Council spokesperson Mr Tichaona Mlauzi said the local authority was shutting down unregistered food outlets.

“We have started shutting down all unregistered food outlets in the town to curb the spread of cholera, which has so far claimed lives of four people in the neighbouring town of Chegutu.

“We have also set up a quarantine centre at Chaedza Hall in Cold Stream suburb, with a capacity to accommodate patients when the need arises,” said Mr Mlauzi.

Council, he said, has also established oral rehydration centres.

“At the moment, we have also established oral rehydration centres at every clinic in Chinhoyi. Drugs and medical materials are also in full supply,” he said.

Council is also understood to be recruiting qualified personnel to curb the spread of the disease.

“We are recruiting environmental health technician graduate trainees so that they assist us in curbing the disease, which is posing a threat to the entire province.

“We are also into health promotion across the town through distribution of fliers and posters.”

He also urged residents to desist buying cooked foodstuffs from backyard food outlets.