Cholera cases decline in Byo

Source: The Zimbabwe Independent
Author: Nizbert Moyo

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has revealed that cholera cases are on the decline after no new cases were recorded in the past three weeks.

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has revealed that cholera cases are on the decline after no new cases were recorded in the past three weeks.

All of Zimbabwe's 63 districts have reported cholera cases, as April 30 this year, 46 cases were hospitalised at Mwenezi (1), Zaka (2), Bikita (1) in Masvingo province, Mutare (14) Chimanimani (1) in Manicaland province and Bindura (3), Mt Darwin (4) in Mashonaland Central.

One case was recorded in Harare province, Sanyati (13), Chegutu (3) in Mashonaland West province while one has also been recorded at Wedza District Hospital in Mashonaland East province and two cases in Kwekwe, Midlands province.

BCC health services director Edwin Sibanda told NewsDay in an interview that there are 13 cumulative cases with 13 cumulative recoveries and zero deaths.

"We have had no cases for more than three weeks. There are zero new confirmed cases, 13 cumulative confirmed cases, 0 new cholera deaths and 13 cumulative recoveries. We have also recorded zero active confirmed cases, zero new suspected cholera cases and 46 cumulative suspected cholera cases,'' Sibanda said.

He said there were no new Rapid Diagnosis Test, 31 positive cumulative Rapid Diagnosis Test cases with zero pending microscopy culture sensitive results and one cumulative suspected cholera death.

"We advise residents to continue to wash their hands and eat food while it is still hot,'' he said.

Zimbabwe has been grappling with a cholera outbreak since February 2023, with the number of cases increasing across the country.

Alarming proportions were reached in August 27, 2023, resulting in 3 894 cholera cases and 96 fatalities.

Notably, this pandemic extended its reach to all 10 provinces across the country, with Harare (1 616), Mutare (1 534) and Bulawayo (324) reporting the highest cumulative cases accounting for 89% of the total cases.