Zimbabwe on Tuesday declared cholera emergency following an outbreak in the capital Harare. Twenty people have died from the disease so far with more than 2,000 reported cases.
Health Minister Obadiah Moyo said on Tuesday that those infected by the disease drunk contaminated water. Moyo toured some health facilities in Harare which is struggling to provide safe drinking water to residents.
“We are declaring an emergency for Harare. This will enable us to contain cholera, typhoid and whatever is going on. We don’t want any further deaths,” Moyo said after the tour.
To deal with the crisis, the government has banned the selling of meat and fish by vendors in suburbs where the infection is widespread.
Police officials have been called upon to enforce the ban. The minister also revealed that classes at some schools at the epicentre of the outbreak have been suspended.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is monitoring the situation. Spokesman Christian Lindmeier says “Partners are already there and are establishing a cholera treatment centre. WHO is preparing material for patients care as well and is mobilizing cholera experts”.
In 2008 Zimbabwe suffered its biggest cholera outbreak. Over 4,000 people died from that outbreak.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
