Health minister Douglas Mombeshora yesterday revealed that about half of cholera cases in Zimbabwe involve children below the age of 15.
Addressing delegates during the handover of cholera medicines and commodities worth US$$265 000 in Harare, Mombeshora said children have not been spared from the diarrhoeal disease.
“Among the reported cholera cases to date, 31% were under 15 years of age while 14 % were under five years of age. The cholera cases have been reported from 60 out of the 63 districts in the country since the outbreak began in February 2023, with all 10 provinces across the country having reported cases,” said Mombeshora.
“We are aware of the drivers of the cholera outbreak, with poor water, sanitation and hygiene being a major contributor to the continued reported cholera cases. Government has taken steps to address these through improved provision of safe clean water in rural areas, towns, and cities by drilling additional boreholes, distribution of aqua tabs and water guard in affected communities and targeted clean-up activities in Harare and Chitungwiza.”
As of January 24, Zimbabwe had recorded a cumulative 20,446 cholera cases and 452 cholera deaths with a case fatality rate of 2,2% since the outbreak in February last year.
