Harare on high alert as rainy season approach

Harare City Health Department is on high alert against a potential rise in communicable diseases as the rainy season approaches, a City official said.

Speaking to journalists in the capital on Wednesday, Director of Epidemiology in City Health Department, Dr Kudzai Masunda, who was standing in for Dr Prosper Chonzi, the City Health Director, said his department is prepared to deal with any health threat posed by communicable diseases.

“Our water situation in Harare is very dire and that could give a problem as we head into the raining season. So we have increased surveillance of communicable diseases.

“We have also enhanced case management of these diseases such that if one gets, for example diarrhea, the person get treated effectively at our various health institutions,” Masunda said.

He revealed that the health department has enhanced follow ups on cases of diarrhea or any suspected cases of the disease so as to reduce its spread.

Masunda added that the health department will conduct public awareness campaigns to educate people on safe methods of preventing the spread of diarrhea and other communicable diseases.

“We have mobilized and stock-piled medication needed in the treatment of such diseases. Our laboratories have been equipped with machines to detect any new cases of communicable diseases. We are also working closely with other departments like the water and housing sections to help spread the message to all people in our communities, and we have engaged the Ministry of Health in helping us put across the message and raising public awareness” Masunda added.

He urged residents to treat all drinking water regardless of the source so as to reduce risk of diseases encouraging the public to increase hygiene practices.

“We are now in the season where we have fruits and vegetables, so we are urging all residents to be cautious by washing all fruits before eating. In our homes, we should be more hygienic so that we are safe,” said Masunda.