Present suspected cholera cases to City clinics, s...

Present suspected cholera cases to City clinics, says Council

Zim Now Writer

The City of Harare Health Services Department is encouraging people to report to any of city’s health facilities or healthy personnel in the community so that they can intervene quickly and prevent the spread of Cholera.

This comes after health department reported a suspected case of cholera in Glen View where a 38-year-old woman was admitted at Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital.

City Health Services Department Director Dr Prosper Chonzi said they conducted a rapid diagnostic test on the woman which turned out to be positive.

“She is still culture negative so we are still trying to do culture sensitivity. Cholera is an orally transmitted disease which means that you get cholera if you consume food or water which is contaminated with the bacteria vibrio cholerae.

“If you do not consume contaminated food it means you will not get cholera. It is important that we practice good personal hygiene and good social or community hygiene. You should wash your hands before taking any food, after using the toilet, eat food while it is hot and boil water before using it.”

Dr Chonzi encouraged residents to use aqua tablets so that they denature the cholera bacteria.

He warned people not to buy meat from car boots or buy meat that you do not know where it has been stored.

“In terms of surveillance, we want people to present themselves early to all the city of Harare facilities if they are unwell. We are treating all diarrhoea cases for free at the City of Harare clinics.”

He added that diarrhoea treatment is free.

As of March 20, 2023, four cholera deaths were recorded in Zimbabwe, with a total number of 21 confirmed cases and 173 suspected cases, according to figures from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.