Cholera breaks out in Masvingo

Masvingo Province has been placed on high alert following the admission of a suspected cholera patient at a hospital in Chiredzi, Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamu has said.

Shamu made the announcement at a Zanu PF meeting held at Masvingo Polytechnic today, saying the province automatically goes on high alert once an active cholera case is confirmed.

"We were informed that a cholera patient was admitted at a hospital in Chiredzi yesterday.

"Cholera is one of the diseases for which we put the entire province under red alert once a case has been recorded,” said Shamu.

The development has raised concerns over access to safe water in parts of Chiredzi, particularly in rural communities where water shortages remain a challenge.

Chiredzi East MP Siyaki Mundungehama said the district’s semi-arid conditions had left some communities relying on water sources that are also used by livestock and wildlife.

"Chiredzi rural is semi-arid, and villagers struggle to get clean water. People share water bodies with livestock and wildlife. The district should be prioritised when drilling boreholes to avoid such diseases,” he said.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It can spread rapidly in communities where access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is limited.

Health authorities routinely intensify surveillance, case management, water treatment and hygiene measures when cholera cases are detected to prevent further transmission.

The latest development comes as Zimbabwe continues to monitor cholera risks, particularly in communities facing water and sanitation challenges.