News / Health
Zimbabwe cholera outbreak again
09 Apr 2011 at 07:42hrs | Views
Cholera has claimed the lives of some 36 people in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces over the past month, say health officials who add that they are still struggling to eradicate the disease in the country following a 2008-2009 epidemic that killed 4,200 people.
Epidemiology and Disease Control Director Portia Manangazira of the Ministry of Health said five people died of cholera in the past week in the Masvingo districts of Chiredzi, Sangewe and Chilonga. Eight died in Rusito district, Manicaland province.
Dr. Managazira said the death toll might be even higher as ministry records are not completely up to date. The outbreaks are due not only to contaminated water but also resistance by local apostolic sect members to medical treatment, Dr. Managazira said.
Dr. Managadzira told VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that while the latest outbreaks are far from the scale seen three years ago, officials are concerned about the persistence of the water-borne disease in a number of parts of the country.
Epidemiology and Disease Control Director Portia Manangazira of the Ministry of Health said five people died of cholera in the past week in the Masvingo districts of Chiredzi, Sangewe and Chilonga. Eight died in Rusito district, Manicaland province.
Dr. Managazira said the death toll might be even higher as ministry records are not completely up to date. The outbreaks are due not only to contaminated water but also resistance by local apostolic sect members to medical treatment, Dr. Managazira said.
Dr. Managadzira told VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that while the latest outbreaks are far from the scale seen three years ago, officials are concerned about the persistence of the water-borne disease in a number of parts of the country.
Source - VOA
