THE number of cholera cases and deaths continues to rise in the country, with the Health ministry situational report released on Wednesday showing that Zimbabwe recorded four new suspected cases and two deaths.
The country now has recorded 479 cases and seven cumulative deaths since the first case was recorded in Chegutu two months ago.
The Health ministry has identified 17 cholera hotspots and they include Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Information minister Monic Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe was one of the 14 countries affected by the cholera outbreak, where cumulative 160 756 suspected cases have been recorded since April 4.
“In light of the continued increase in cholera cases, Cabinet has resolved that the multi-sectoral approach to responding to the cholera outbreak should continue, with a focus to address water and sanitation,” she said.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care should work closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to ensure timely release of funds to facilitate the cholera response.”
Recently, government said it had set aside US$24 million to fight cholera.
The cholera outbreak was first recorded in Chegutu in February.
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There has been several cholera outbreaks over the years.
The 2008 to 2009 pandemic was the most devastating outbreak ever recorded when 100 000 cases and over 4 000 deaths were recorded.
In 2018/19, at least 10 000 cases and 69 deaths were recorded across 21 cholera hotspot districts in the country, with Harare among the worst affected.
Health experts say the country’s ageing water and sewerage infrastructure coupled with collapsing health delivery services are the main drivers of the outbreaks.
On COVID-19, Mutsvangwa said: “The nation is being advised that although the epidemic remains under firm control in our country, with no new variants of the virus reported, there is still need to exercise care in order to avert a resurgence on whatever scale.”
Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases have reached 264 623, with 258 880 recoveries and 5 685 deaths.
“The country still has 10 million vaccines in stock, and citizens are urged to come forward and benefit from this government facility which is intended to protect the entire nation,” she said.
A total of 7 111 107 first doses of the vaccine, 5 334 594 second and 1 871 623 third doses have so far been administered.
