By Staff Reporter
The City of Harare is currently grappling with a cholera outbreak, as confirmed by Dr. Prosper Chonzi, the city health director.
With 21 suspected cases and seven confirmed cases, mainly concentrated in the western suburbs, the situation demands immediate attention and action from authorities and residents alike.
Dr. Chonzi revealed that Budiriro accounts for four of the confirmed cases, Glenview 3 has two, and one case has been reported from Mt Pleasant Heights.
In an interview, Dr. Chonzi highlighted the seriousness of the situation and urged everyone to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing further infections.
“What this means is we should take this outbreak seriously because it has the potential to spread like veld fire so we need to be on high alert and everywhere, even where there are no cases currently,” he cautioned.
Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water. It leads to severe diarrhea and dehydration, and if left untreated, can be fatal.
Dr. Chonzi stressed that cholera is a preventable disease, and the key to combatting the outbreak lies in practicing proper hygiene and sanitation.
“The importance of hygiene and sanitation cannot be overstated. By following simple measures such as washing hands regularly with soap and clean water, using clean and safe water sources for drinking and cooking, and ensuring proper disposal of waste, we can significantly reduce the risk of cholera transmission.”
The city health department has initiated several measures to contain the spread of cholera and these include intensified surveillance and monitoring, increased availability of clean water sources, and public awareness campaigns to educate the community about the importance of personal hygiene.
