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The cholera epidemic in the high-density suburbs of the Zimbabwean capital, Glen View and Budiriro, has reached 10 deaths. Health authorities have found the source of an exploding sewer system in the affected areas. said the Harare City Council.
It is feared that diarrheal disease will spread to Glen Norah, about 14 km from the city center. By the end of the day Saturday, 320 people had been hospitalized, 223 patients being treated at Glen View and about 100 at the Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital. Some patients were treated and left.
Drilling in the affected areas has since been decommissioned and cholera vaccines are expected to be distributed this week. Dr. Clemence Duri, director of health of the Council, said the authorities continued to monitor the affected areas.
"The death toll has risen to 10 after the death of five others today. [Saturday] Morning. Of the five, one from Glen Norah, the others from Glen View. Although we are not yet sure of the cause of Glen Norah's death, we suspect it is cholera, "he said.
"We determined that the outbreak was caused by an exploded sewer line that contaminated the water from the well. However, we rectified the situation and replaced the hose. We have since disarmed two boreholes at Glen View and will continue to monitor the area, "said Duri.
The Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Dr. Portia Manangazira, said the government was on alert and would soon submit a proposal to introduce cholera vaccines in high-risk areas.
"We are aware that the cases are on the rise, so we will be alert nationwide, given the season we are witnessing and the approaching rainy season. We will submit a proposal for cholera vaccines in certain areas that we have identified as high-risk areas for cholera, "she said.
This is the fourth time in 15 years that cholera – a treatable disease that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and is fatal if it is not treated quickly – has hit Zimbabwe. In August, seven people died of a typhoid epidemic in Gweru.
Water supply in most urban areas such as Harare and Gweru has been intermittent, with residents resorting to unprotected water sources.
– African News Agency (ANA)
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