Cholera death toll climbs
Harare is folding under the strain of a cholera outbreak which appears to be spreading.
The capital of Zimbabwe, Harare, has been inundated by the outbreak, with more than 3 000 cases reported. NGOs have accused the government of spending state cash on luxury items instead of providing basic healthcare. The death toll is reported to stand at 28 but sources from within the country put it at 40 yesterday morning.
The outbreak was first detected earlier this month in a township outside Harare and has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency.
“Although I cannot say we have contained the disease as of yet, we are moving swiftly in all provinces of the country,” health minister Obadiah Moyo told the state-owned Sunday Mail.
Moyo said the strain of the disease was found to be resistant to several drugs, meaning new antibiotics had to be approved to tackle the outbreak. The government planned to remove accumulated trash from high-risk areas in Harare, repair sewer pipes and bar street food vendors from operating in an effort to contain the infectious disease.
Authorities also banned public gatherings in the city as a precautionary measure, which forced the opposition MDC party to call off a major rally it had planned on Saturday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced earlier this week that it was expanding its operation in Zimbabwe to help the government combat the outbreak.
WHO is providing cholera kits which contain oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluids and antibiotics to cholera treatment centres.
Cholera is an acute waterborne diarrheal disease that can kill within hours, if the infected person is not treated. The disease can be prevented through safe access to water and sanitation.
NEWS24
The outbreak was first detected earlier this month in a township outside Harare and has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency.
“Although I cannot say we have contained the disease as of yet, we are moving swiftly in all provinces of the country,” health minister Obadiah Moyo told the state-owned Sunday Mail.
Moyo said the strain of the disease was found to be resistant to several drugs, meaning new antibiotics had to be approved to tackle the outbreak. The government planned to remove accumulated trash from high-risk areas in Harare, repair sewer pipes and bar street food vendors from operating in an effort to contain the infectious disease.
Authorities also banned public gatherings in the city as a precautionary measure, which forced the opposition MDC party to call off a major rally it had planned on Saturday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced earlier this week that it was expanding its operation in Zimbabwe to help the government combat the outbreak.
WHO is providing cholera kits which contain oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluids and antibiotics to cholera treatment centres.
Cholera is an acute waterborne diarrheal disease that can kill within hours, if the infected person is not treated. The disease can be prevented through safe access to water and sanitation.
NEWS24
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