Two people died of suspected cholera following an outbreak of the disease in Chiredzi and Chipinge, the Ministry of Health has announced.
By Phyllis Mbanje
Health and Child Care deputy minister Aldrin Musiiwa told journalists in Harare yesterday that one confirmed case was reported at Rupangwana Clinic in Chiredzi, while three suspected cases were also reported at Chinyamukwakwa Clinic in Chipinge district.
“Two of the suspected affected people from Chipinge have since died,” Musiiwa said.
It was also reported that the three suspected cases had been in contact with the one confirmed case from Rupangwana.
The remaining cases are being managed at the two clinics and medicine and other supplies were being mobilised and would be moved to the affected areas.
Chipinge has been affected by the recent floods induced by Cyclone Dineo. The particular area has been hard hit, with communities failing to access health facilities for treatment.
“Most of the people in the affected area of Mabee have no access to safe drinking water due to these floods,” the deputy minister said.
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The areas are also adjacent to the border where there is an influx of people coming from Mozambique.
Currently there is a cholera outbreak in Mozambique which has claimed two lives out of 1 222 confirmed cases. According to reports from that country, the most worrying situation was in Tete, where 395 cases were diagnosed within five days.
“We have a problem of porous borders and this complicates matters. We need better co-operation with the Mozambican government. The country has security issues,” Health ministry permanent secretary Gerald Gwinji said.
Response teams in Masvingo and Manicaland were already on the ground conducting assessments. The Health ministry with assistance from the World Health Organisation and other partners is pre-positioning diarrhoeal kits in the provinces each capable of treating 500 cases.
An urgent call has also been made to communities in the country and in the areas affected by floods to practice good personal hygiene to avoid cholera and other diseases.
“People should always use a toilet or properly constructed latrine instead of the bush to relieve themselves,” Musiiwa said.
