25 new typhoid cases and 1 death reported

Twenty-five new cases of typhoid and a single death have been recorded in the past week.

This is according to a weekly report compiled by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.

The report also indicates that 4 794 cases have been recorded countrywide since October last year.

The continued outbreak of typhoid in various parts of the country has been attributed to poor service delivery.

The continued sporadic outbreak of typhoid demonstrates that the problem of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid are far from over.

The fresh outbreaks were recorded in Chitungwiza, Bulawayo and Bindura.

The Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera and the Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Dr Portia Manangazira said as long as underlying causes such as water shortages and poor sanitation persist, the country will continue to record cases of waterborne diseases.

Zimbabwe Local Government Association President Nimrod Chiminya acknowledged the challenges but said local authorities are lacking adequate funding, which is hampering efforts to provide clean water constantly as well as provide proper sanitation.

In the past week, Chitungwiza recorded 21 cases of typhoid, while United Bulawayo Hospitals had 2 cases and Bindura recorded a single case, bringing to 4 794 cases since October last year.

One person died in Mashonaland Central Province, bringing to two the total number of people who have succumbed to typhoid.