Cholera cases re-emerge in Nyanga

HEALTH authorities in Nyanga are on high alert after five suspected cholera cases were recorded in Nyarugwe mining area — just a few weeks after the district had been declared free of the diarrhoeal disease.

The five patients are currently admitted at Avilla Mission Hospital.

Nyanga District Medical Officer, Dr Majoni John Muungani confirmed the cases on Tuesday, and said of the five, three had tested positive for cholera on the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT).

“The other two tested negative and the specimens of those that tested positive were sent to Mutare for further tests. However, it is important to note that all these cases remain suspected cases at this juncture,” he said, adding that the area where the cases were reported was known for illegal gold mining.

“I am on my way from Avila Mission Hospital with the district health executive, and we have made sure that there is adequate food and water supplies at the hospital. We have set up an emergency response as a district. We have also deployed more Emergency Health Technicians (EHT) in the area to raise awareness in the illegal mining area as well as for surveillance and monitoring,” he said.

Dr Muungani said while it is difficult to avail adequate clean water supply in the area due to illegal mining activities, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has engaged Nyanga Rural District Council and Government to ensure the provision of safe water in the area.

Nyanga District was one of the 10 districts nationwide that were recently declared cholera free by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

In Manicaland, Chimanimani and Makoni were also declared cholera-free.

Manicaland has since April 1 recorded a total of 107 suspected cases, according to the Zimbabwe Situational Report released on Tuesday.

Of the 107 suspected cases, only 38 were confirmed cholera cases.

About 74 of the 107 cases were recorded in Mutare Rural District, which remains a hotspot in the province due to illegal mining activities in Odzi and Chiadzwa. Manicaland provincial health promotions officer, Mrs Agnes Mugumbate said, while the province continues to record a dwindling trend in cholera cases, Mutare Rural District remains a major headache.

“It is worrisome that Mutare remains one of the top districts still recording suspected cholera cases. This is despite the fact that cases have been on the decline, and we have noted that this is due to the illegal mining activities happening in Odzi and Chiadzwa areas.

“Previously we have been recording one or two cases per day as a province, but recently more cases were being recorded in Mutare District. As a ministry, we are fighting to eradicate the cholera outbreak in the province,” she said.

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