Centre News Reporter
A Cholera patient allegedly succumbed to the disease yesterday in
Bikita as the death toll rise to 5 while cases of patients admitted in
various hospitals continue to increase on a daily basis, Centre News
has learnt.
Latest Information from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC)
indicated that among those who passed away from the suspected outbreak
are 3 foreign nationals from Mozambique in Mbire district in
Mashonaland central.
“We regret to report a Cholera confirmed death from Bikita District in
Masvingo Province and 3 suspected Mozambique nationals in Mbire
district in Mashonaland Central province (results of suspected death
pending” said MoHCC in its latest Strep update yesterday.
Yesterday 15 new suspected cases were reported in the country. 10
cases were reported in Mbire, 3 in Chimanimani, and 2 in Beitbridge.
The Ministry also reported that the cases in the country have risen to
173 and a total death of 5 people.
MoHCC has also named several districts in the country as Cholera hot
sports and has since embarked on massive awareness programs to
educate people on the need to prevent the outbreak.
The death in Bikita comes after a case was reported in Chivi district
last week amid fears from residents in Masvingo city that the disease
could spread to them after going for over a week without water.
Masvingo Residents and Rate Payers Alliance (MURRA), Programmes
officer, Rumbidzai Magurupira said residents are living in fear.
“We are actually fearful that the pandemic may soon reach us and get
worse since were are having water provision shortages for over a week
now. We have tried to engage the city fathers but they keep telling us
that it’s because of load shedding, ZESA is switching them off at the
waterworks,” she said.
The disease requires a constant supply of water for hygiene if it is to
be contained.
Masvingo City Council Mayor, Collen Maboke said they have tried in
vain to engage ZESA over the switching of o their pump station.
“We have tried on several occasions to engage ZESA locally and from
Harare but our pleas are falling on deaf ears and they continue
switching us off at Bushmead, “he said.
Efforts to get a comment from ZESA spokesperson, George Manyaya were
fruitless as he did not pick up his phone or answer written questions
sent to him.
Masvingo Provincial Medical Director, Dr. Amedus Shamu while confirming the
cholera cases in the province told Centre News that the water shortage
challenges can worsen the situation.
“Yes, the case is now in our province. The water challenges being
experienced in the City of Masvingo may be very detrimental if the
outbreak reaches the city. The disease requires a constant water supply
to prevent it from spreading,” said Dr. Shamu.