Twenty-six people have died of cholera in Zimbabwe since October and 173 are infected, a report released by United Nation’s Children’s Fund (Unicef) over the weekend has revealed.
The cause of the outbreak and subsequent spread of the disease in these rural communities is believed to be persistent drawing of drinking water from unprotected sources, such as rivers.
The report indicated that the majority of the cases had been reported from the Binga region with the balance occurring in the Kariba North district.
A Unicef medical team would be dispatched to the affected areas to assist with disease control.
SAA-Netcare Travel Clinics managing director Andrew Jamieson advised all travellers to Zimbabwe to protect themselves from cholera infection by vaccination and to avoid drinking untreated water while in the country.
”The threat of cholera is ever-present in sub-tropical countries, especially in the rainy summer season.
”And, being primarily a water-borne disease, unchecked cholera can spread rampantly to other areas,” Jamieson said.
”Our advice is to rather take extra precautions than run the risk of contracting the disease. Avoid water-based drinks that are not provided in sealed containers from the manufacturer, only accept ice that has been made using pre-boiled water, and be sure to wash all fruit and vegetables in treated water before eating them.”
The high mortality rate was also cause for concern, he said.
”In South Africa, when the cholera outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal was at its peak, the mortality rate was less than one percent.
”In Zimbabwe this appears to be much higher — sometimes approaching 20%. This is a reflection of the problems experienced in the heath environment — stories of emergency vehicles standing unused due to lack of fuel are commonplace,” he
said. – Sapa