Government has declared war on typhoid and cholera saying they are engaging in preparatory measures to battle the water borne diseases which they fear might spread into the country from neighboring Zambia where an outbreak has been reported.
By Faith Zvorufura and Shorai Murwira
In a speech read on his behalf by Director for Epidemiology and Disease Control, Dr Portia Manangazira, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said they are on high alert and are already taking measures to aver potential disaster.
“There is currently undergoing a threat of a possible cholera outbreak which could be imported from either Zambia and other countries are experiencing it now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Gerald Gwinji who handing over reproductive emergency health kits and emergency health kits from World Health Organization at Parirenyatwa group of hospitals noted that adequate measures need to be put into place to counter a potential outbreak.
“The country is battling protracted outbreak of typhoid fever in the city of Harare, mainly in Mbare suburb.
“Right now, as we speak, the outbreaks of cholera is raging on unabated in neighboring Zambia and these can spill over into our Zimbabwe if adequate preparatory measures are not put in place,” said Dr Gwinji.
In an interview with 263Chat, Provincial Medical Doctor for Matebeleland North, Dr Nyasha Masuka confirmed that case of Typhoid has been reported in Nkayi District
“I can confirm that we have recorded a case of typhoid within the province from a young man that had visited his relative in Harare,
“Investigations revealed that the relatives had been treated of typhoid before, however we have Environmental health officers in Nkayi now educating residents on hygiene practices to prevent Typhoid,
“The patient is being treated in isolation and is still in hospital. He was admitted on the 6th of January 2018,” said Masuka.
Health and Child Care ministry said 200 cases of Typhoid were detected this year in the first week of January and more are expected to emerge however no deaths have been recorded.
