Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Chiredzi District has been hit by cholera with 35 cases having been been confirmed in Chiredzi Rural District Council’s ward 1 in Save area where people mainly rely on unsafe water from the nearby river as well as in ward 24, which borders with Bikita District which had an outbreak, TellZim News can report.
Chiredzi District Medical Officer (DMO), Doctor Brian Dhlandhlara today (September 28, 2023) confirmed the thirty five cases and said they had acted quickly to stop the spread by setting up cholera treatment centers and are already doing health awareness campaigns.
“We have cases in ward 1, along Save River where villagers are using unsafe water from Save River and in ward 24 which borders with Bikita District where cases of cholera have also been recorded.
“We are responding with the help of other government departments and development partners by setting up cholera treatment centers in the affected wards and doing health education in the community,” said Dr Dhlandhlara
He also urged people to take extra care to minimize the spread of the disease by ensuring proper hygiene.
“I encourage people to ensure proper hygiene and regularly wash hands with soap and clean running water from safe sources and ensure proper disposal of human waste (in toilets),” said Dr Dhlandhlara.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with a bacteria called Vibrio cholerae.
People can get sick after swallowing food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria and its signs and symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.
Severe Cholera cases in Chiredzi were last reported in 2015 at Chizvirizvi Rural Health Center
