Suspected cholera case reported in Gwanda

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has re-activated its cholera epidemic rapid response in Matabeleland South Province after a suspected case of the disease was reported in Gwanda yesterday (Tuesday).

The Provincial Medical Director, Dr Chipo Chikodzore told the ZBC News that the patient, who is currently admitted at Gwanda Provincial Hospital and is in a stable condition, is a tout who plies the Gwanda - Bulawayo route.

While rapid tests came out positive for cholera, laboratory tests are yet to confirm the result.

"The patient is said to have had diarrhoea while coming from Bulawayo before he was reported to the health institution yesterday. A rapid response team has since been dispatched to Zhukwe in Gwanda North, where the patient resides to investigate if he had been in contact with other people as well as to test the water sources there," Dr Chikodzore said.

The province has also activated all cholera epidemic teams to enhance its preparedness and response to the epidemic.

Cholera camps have also been set up in Esigodini ahead of the Zanu-PF conference.

Since the outbreak of cholera, the province has successfully managed to treat three cases that were reported in Beitbridge and contain the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, Gwanda district joined the rest of the nation in a clean-up exercise with various stakeholders committing to ensuring a clean and sanitary environment.