Zim reaches 98 suspected cholera cases

Zimbabwean health authorities have confirmed eight cases, with 98 suspected cases and one possible cholera caused death.

“As of 15 March 2023, one case is hospitalised at Chivi District Hospital Cholera Treatment Unit (CTU), Masvingo province. Zimbabwe has 98 suspected cholera cases, eight confirmed cases, 97 recoveries and one death,” the Health and Child Care ministry said in their weekly update.

The ministry said that this week the country reported 31 new suspected cholera cases with 3 laboratory confirmed cases were reported.

The cases are spread geographically with 15 in Centenary, 11 in Beitbridge, 4 in Chegutu and 1in Chivi.

“Fourteen of the suspected cases and one suspected death brought in dead were Mozambican nationals from Kadunje Village who sought treatment at Chiwenga Clinic, Centenary district, Mashonaland Central province, bordering Mozambique,” the ministry said.

Worst in the country’s history, the 2008–2009 cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe resulted in 98,585 reported cases and 4,287 reported deaths/

Zimbabwe has been on high alert for cholera after an outbreak in Malawi in March 2022 which has so far infected over 20000 and killed over 1200 people. Africa has reported over 40 000 cases in the period with countries like Zambia and Egypt also affected.

While Malawi cases have begun to go down, Mozambique figures are rising increasing the risk of widespread infection in Zimbabwe. Cyclone Freddy which has caused around 200 deaths amid destruction in Malawi is also expected to worsen.

The World Health Organisation says that cholera has been a growing global challenge in past few years as countries that had not recorded any cases for a while are now reporting outbreaks.

WHO also says that research has indicated that there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide due to the infection.