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Cholera Scare In Chitungwiza

Zimbabwe is in the throes of a cholera outbreak, with over 100 deaths recorded so far and more than 5000 cases being reported countrywide

Cholera has now spread to the dormitory town of Chitungwiza, with outbreaks recorded in St Mary's, NewsDay learnt.

St Mary's city health promoters chairperson, Juliet Jotam, told NewsDay that the first cholera case was recorded on Friday.

"The disease is spreading in the community," she said.

Cholera patients are being attended to at St Mary's Baby Clinic.

Zimbabwe is in the throes of a cholera outbreak, with over 100 deaths recorded so far and more than 5000 cases being reported countrywide

South Sudan Sets Up Measures To Curb Cholera Outbreak

October 24, 2023 (JUBA)- South Sudan has put up health measures to control the spread of cholera, a disease that has claimed several lives in neighbouring Sudan.

South Sudan's vice president and chairman of the service clusters, Hussen Abdelbagi said government has taken measures in collaboration and coordination with health partners to curb cholera spread in states close to Sudan.

At least 1,457 suspected cholera cases and 64 associated deaths have been reported from four states of Sudan as of 17 October, health authorities disclosed.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.

"You know our borders with Sudan are porous and this has been complicated by the prevailing situation of war in Sudan which has forced people to be moving from place to place in search of security and safe places. This now makes it more challenging because people with the disease may be among people crossing into our states, especially states bordering Sudan," Abdelbagi said on Sunday.

He added, "We have directed the Ministry of Health to work closely and coordinate with health partners on how to control the spread of this disease".

The vice president also expressed concerns that the spread of cholera to South Sudan will exacerbate the humanitarian situation that the government has been struggling to address since the eruption of the conflict in Sudan had forced people to flee from their homes in Sudan to neigbouring countries in the region.

South Sudan, Egypt and Chad are countries that received a huge influx of refugees.

Abdelbagi, however, said that South Sudan was experiencing a double influx.

The official further explained that South Sudanese nationals returning home after secession are no different from refugees because they do not have anything in South Sudan to which they are returning and facing many challenges to adjust.

However, with a budget tied to oil production, the South Sudanese government fears a sustained conflict in Sudan could have a major impact on its economic situation and undermine provisions of essential services like health and security.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and medical charities operating in Sudan say the lives of people with renal diseases are at great risk due to the limited number of centers where dialysis could be performed because of the ongoing security.

(ST)

Zimbabwe: Cholera Update - 5030 New Cases, 139 Deaths

The country reported 55 new suspected cholera cases and one suspected death on Monday, bringing the total number of suspected and confirmed cases to 5,030 and the death toll to 139 since the beginning of 2023.

The cases were mainly from the provinces of Manicaland and Masvingo, where 97 patients are hospitalized in various treatment centers.

Specifically, the cases were reported from Gutu (26) Buhera (10), Bikita (7), Chipinge (5), Chiredzi (5) and Mutare (2).

The Ministry of Health and Child Care said that the national recovery rate is at 97% and that tests are being done to confirm the cholera diagnosis.

The first cholera outbreak in the country in 2023 started on February 12 in Chegutu town, Mashonaland West Province.

Since then, the outbreak has spread to 41 districts in all the 10 provinces of the country, including 17 traditional cholera hotspots.

The Zimbabwean government has banned large gatherings in parts of the country and increased surveillance at ports of entry in an effort to contain the disease.

It has also advised the public against attending open markets, social gatherings and outdoor church camps, where sanitation is likely to be poor.

Zimbabwe's perennial water shortages and an ailing sanitation system have triggered several cholera outbreaks in recent years.

In some areas, especially in Harare and Bulawayo, people go for months without running water, while raw sewage is a common sight in townships. This has forced people to resort to unsafe water sources, such as shallow wells that contain faecal matter from damaged sewer pipes.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with bacteria.

It can cause severe dehydration and death if left untreated. The World Health Organization recommends oral rehydration therapy, antibiotics and vaccination as preventive measures.

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