Zimbabwe is facing a cholera outbreak that has killed at least 63 people and infected more than 2,400 since March this year, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The disease, which causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, is spreading mainly through contaminated water sources and poor sanitation.
The worst-hit area is Buhera District in Manicaland Province, where 27 people have died and 726 cases have been reported. The district has a population of about 250,000 and only one hospital. The main source of water for many residents is the Save River, which is polluted by human and animal waste.
The government has deployed more doctors and health workers to the district’s cholera treatment centers and oral rehydration points closer to the communities. It has also imposed restrictions on gatherings and funerals, potential transmission sources. In addition, it plans to drill eight boreholes in the district to provide safe water.
The government has also activated its national cholera response plan, which involves intensified risk communication, community engagement, surveillance, testing, and treatment. It has received support from various partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
However, the response faces several challenges, such as inadequate funding, limited supplies, poor infrastructure, and low awareness. The government has appealed for more resources and assistance from the international community to contain the outbreak and prevent further deaths.
Cholera is endemic in Zimbabwe, which has experienced several outbreaks in the past. The worst one occurred in 2008-2009, when over 4,000 people died, and over 100,000 were infected. The country also suffered a cholera outbreak in 2018-2019, which killed 69 people and affected over 10,000.
Experts say that the root causes of cholera in Zimbabwe are poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services. They urge the government to invest more in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, as well as health systems strengthening and social protection. They also call for more public education and behavior change to prevent the disease.
Cholera is a preventable and treatable disease that can be eliminated with proper interventions. The WHO has set a global target of reducing cholera deaths by 90% by 2030. Zimbabwe is one of the countries that have committed to this goal and joined the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC).
Despite the current crisis, there is hope that Zimbabwe can overcome cholera and improve the health and well-being of its people. With more political will, resources, and collaboration, the country can achieve its vision of a cholera-free future.
Source: The Herald
