Faith Duri
17 cases of cholera have been recorded in Mukanga area in Bikita near its border with Zaka District after a report of several people tested positive to the disease as of September 11 2023.
Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamhu confirmed the outbreak saying they had received a report of 17 cases were no casualties yet.
“It’s true, we have a cholera outbreak in Mukanga area of Bikita and as of September 11, 17 people had been hospitalized at clinics in Bikita.
“So far I haven’t received reports about deaths and I am yet to get an update of the situation from the district office and I will enquire to hear if there is any casualty so far and will update you,” sai Dr Shamhu.
Sources in the affected areas said one person from Makura area died on Tuesday (September 12) at Bikita District Hospital where he was admitted.
Masvingo recorded its first cholera case in May 2023 after Zimbabwe had recorded nearly 1 700 cases since the outbreak was reported in February. Chiredzi and Mwenezi recorded their first cases on April 29, 2023 after six victims were reported to have been hospitalized in Masvingo province with Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts being among the red zones.
A March 15, 2023 Cholera Situation Report from Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) indicated that 31 new cholera suspected cases and 3 laboratory confirmed cases were reported and Chivi was among those cases. Bikita District had also confirmed a cholera death in March 21, 2023 which makes the current outbreak the second in the district.
Cholera is a potentially life-threatening bacteria disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. It spreads through contaminated food and water, and is most common in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.
