Diarrhoea outbreak in Bulawayo claims ten children

TEN children in Bulawayo have died from a diarrhoea outbreak, which has affected over 200 children amid reports that most parts of the country are also affected.

Health and Child Welfare Minister Henry Madzorera last night confirmed that the country recorded infants' deaths annually due to a contagious infection that causes severe diarrhoea in winter.

The diarrhoea - which mostly affects children below the age of 10 - has reportedly claimed 10 children at Mpilo Central Hospital, while at least three succumbed to running tummies at Mater Dei Hospital.

Officials from a number of Bulawayo health care centres are set to meet over the issue today.

A parent whose child is admitted at Mater-Dei said the diarrhoea dehydrated her child within two hours.

An official from the hospital said three children had died of the diarrhoea and they have also been received reports that more children have been admitted to hospitals in Harare, Gweru and Masvingo.

An accountant at Mater-Dei Hospital, Mrs Ethabert Ponalo, said statistics were still being compiled.

Mpilo's chief executive officer, Dr Lindiwe Mlilo, could not be reached for comment.

Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr Douglas Mombeshora said his ministry was yet to receive a report on the suspected outbreak.

The Minister of Health said its common that every winter we have an increase in rotavirus diarrhoeal cases. He said he does not have the statistics at the moment but he has weekly updates from surveillance department, which is the epidemiology and disease control department.

"I will check with them for the last statistics and if there is an increase in the cases this year."

Meanwhile, Bulawayo city Council dismissed claims by officials at UBH and Mpilo Hospital that the quality of water could have caused the outbreak in Bulawayo.