Zimbabwe Battles New Cholera Outbreak: 1 Dead, 70 Cases Recorded

Zimbabwe Battles New Cholera Outbreak: 1 Dead, 70 Cases Recorded

Zimbabwe is facing another cholera outbreak just three months after the government declared the country free of the deadly waterborne disease.

Also read: Outrage As Harare City Council Blows US$24k On A Conference As Cholera Ravages The Capital

Zimbabwe Battles New Cholera Outbreak Months After Declaring Victory

So far, 70 suspected cases and one death have been reported in Kariba District, Mashonaland West Province. The Ministry of Health and Child Care confirmed that the outbreak began in early November.

Health officials have already vaccinated 1,007 people out of a targeted 2,553 in the affected area. The oral cholera vaccine is a crucial part of the response strategy, alongside awareness campaigns and other infection control measures.

Also read: Harare City Council Announces Victory Over Cholera Outbreak

Health Authorities Step In

Kariba District Medical Officer, Dr. Godfrey Muza said local, regional, and international partners are collaborating to manage the crisis.

“We have set up cholera equipment camp and also some oral rehydration points within the affected villages,” said Muza. “We are getting assistance from our local and regional partners like MSF [Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders] and UNICEF. And our teams are on the ground doing risk communication and community engagement activities on health promotion, hygiene promotion and assisting the community in terms of improving sanction,” he said.

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Recurring Cholera Outbreaks

This outbreak comes just months after Zimbabwe officially declared an end to a previous epidemic that began in February 2022 and lasted 18 months, claiming over 700 lives.

Cholera outbreaks remain a persistent issue in Zimbabwe, driven by inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure. These systemic challenges create an environment where the disease can easily spread, particularly in vulnerable rural areas.

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