News / Health
Zimbabwe: new cholera threat
12 Mar 2013 at 15:16hrs | Views
One of the four suspected cases of cholera reported in Beitbridge has proved positive after laboratory tests, raising fears of another cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe.
Health and Child Welfare Minister, Henry Madzorera confirmed the development but said only one case tested positive while three were negative.
Dr Madzorera said the case that tested negative is that of a 58 year old man from Paye Village under Chief Chitaudze, who is said to have travelled to Messina, South Africa on the 3rd of March and returned to Zimbabwe the following day.
The man was admitted in hospital on the 5th of March with severe dehydration.
A rapid response team from the ministry visited the area and specimens were sent to the national micro biology reference laboratory in Harare for testing.
The man has since been treated and discharged.
The Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the ministry, Dr Portia Manangazira said the ministry has activated surveillance mechanisms, adding that all suspicious cases of diarrhoea are being sent to the laboratories for confirmation.
From 2008 to 2009 the country experienced a devastating cholera outbreak that left more than 3000 people dead.
Health and Child Welfare Minister, Henry Madzorera confirmed the development but said only one case tested positive while three were negative.
Dr Madzorera said the case that tested negative is that of a 58 year old man from Paye Village under Chief Chitaudze, who is said to have travelled to Messina, South Africa on the 3rd of March and returned to Zimbabwe the following day.
The man was admitted in hospital on the 5th of March with severe dehydration.
A rapid response team from the ministry visited the area and specimens were sent to the national micro biology reference laboratory in Harare for testing.
The man has since been treated and discharged.
The Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the ministry, Dr Portia Manangazira said the ministry has activated surveillance mechanisms, adding that all suspicious cases of diarrhoea are being sent to the laboratories for confirmation.
From 2008 to 2009 the country experienced a devastating cholera outbreak that left more than 3000 people dead.
Source - zbc
