Zim’s deadly mix of anthrax, cholera and
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is looking into the cholera, anthrax and drought cases in Zimbabwe as the southern Africa country battles a myriad of challenges afflicting it.
Zimbabwe battles medieval diseases such as cholera and typhoid infecting citizens amid concerns that the government is clueless on how to deal with them.
To make matters worse, the health sector has been hit hard by a mass exodus of staff, as doctors, nurses and nurse aids have left the country in search of greener pastures.
Last week, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) lamented the state of the public health delivery system and the exposure of health professionals to harm in their line of duty.
“For years, health workers in Zimbabwe have clamoured for a health service and health workplace that promotes and protects their rights through strengthening infection control protocols and associated provisions for infection control such as personal protective equipment,” the rights doctors said.
“Effective infection control protocols will not only make the workplace a safe place, but will contribute to boosting the moral and mental health of health professionals which have been dented by poor remuneration, dilapidated infrastructure, equipment and shortage of drugs and sundries.”
No consistent data
In a weekly bulletin on outbreaks and other emergencies released on May 7 on its Update on Reporting Epidemiological Week 14, the WHO stated that Zimbabwe is often “not consistently” submitting its weekly reports to the African Regional Office (AFRO).
A map of the 2024 summary of reporting on the frequency of weekly reports received at WHO AFRO showed that from week one to 13, Zimbabwe had “stopped to share” data, while in week 14, it did not share the data.
Cholera outbreak
The WHO said the first cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe was recorded on February 12, 2023, with all 10 provinces in the country affected.
Manicaland, Harare, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces were cited as cholera hotspots.
The WHO has since placed the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe on Grade 3, which is when a single country or multiple country emergencies, require(s) a major/ maximal WHO response.
The provision of support to the WCO is co-ordinated by an emergency coordinator in the regional office(s).
An emergency officer is also appointed at headquarters to assist with the co-ordination of organisation-wide inputs.
A cholera situational report released by the Health and Child Care ministry last Thursday shows that cumulatively, Zimbabwe has recorded 33 811 suspected cases since February 2023, with 623 suspected deaths.
The outbreak has spread to more than the 17 traditional cholera hotspot districts of Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza.
Anthrax cases
In the same report, the global health organisation body also said as of February 12 this year, 683 cases of anthrax had been reported in the country.
One death was recorded from the cumulative cases.
“Eight districts have reported cases since the beginning of 2023, with the majority of cases coming from Gokwe North (63,1%) and Gokwe South (33,1%).
“The confirmed death was reported in 2023 from Gokwe South,” the WHO bulletin stated.
On closed events, the WHO placed Zimbabwe on Grade 2, whereby a single country or multiple country emergencies require a moderate response by the WHO.
In this case, the level of response required by the WHO always exceeds the capacity of the WCO.
‘Polio, a closed event’
Marked as a closed event for the WHO was the poliomyelitis outbreak.
“Zimbabwe found the poliovirus in Harare (in) sewage. The first human polio case (was) confirmed in January 2024 (10-yearold girl).
“As of March 2024, 23 total polio cases have been reported, with low risk over older teens,” the weekly bulletin read.
“Over 10 million vaccines (were) delivered in January 2024.
“Testing is underway for further polio cases in Harare and a joint press release on Round 1 national nOPV2 polio SIA [supplementary immunisation activities]