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Zimbabwe declares state of emergency/ Cholera is taking lives

2023-11-18 09:47:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Zimbabwe declares state of emergency/ Cholera is taking lives

Illustrative photo

Zimbabwe has declared a state of emergency in the capital Harare due to a cholera outbreak.

Cholera has so far killed dozens of people with more than 7,000 suspected cases.

Authorities say the blast, which spread across the city, brought back memories of a deadly blast in 2008 that killed thousands.

"We have declared a state of emergency because of cholera," Mayor Ian Makone said.

Cholera in Zimbabwe fueled by persistent water shortages.

Authorities are now asking for help to contain the spread and provide water, saying the aid being received is insufficient.

According to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), health authorities have struggled to contain the high number of admissions following the outbreak.

He cites a shortage of doctors to manage cases, as well as a lack of supplies to stop the spread.

Zimbabwe has struggled with a deadly cholera outbreak in recent months amid a lack of access to clean water.

The epicenter of the latest outbreak is in a densely populated suburb of Harare, Kuwadzana, which accounts for nearly half of the reported cases, according to authorities.

Cholera, an acute diarrheal infection is caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

It is treated with an oral rehydration solution, to replace fluids and salts lost from diarrhea and vomiting.

On Thursday, Harare's mayor said the cholera outbreak had similarities to the 2008 outbreak.

The outbreak subsequently led to the death of over 4,000 people, with at least 100,000 infected, leading to a paralysis of basic services in the country.

This prompted then-president Robert Mugabe to agree to a historic power-sharing deal with his long-time rival, Morgan Tsvangirai. In 2018, the country declared a state of emergency after 20 deaths and more than 2,000 cases related to typhoon and cholera were reported.

On Tuesday, the health ministry announced that the country had recorded 7,398 suspected cases, 50 confirmed deaths and 109 people hospitalized.

The health minister visited the epicenter, announcing the measures that have been taken to contain the outbreak, including the removal of street food vendors and the transportation of clean water.

The IFRC says the disease is spreading rapidly, affecting multiple geographic areas in 45 of the country's 62 districts and all 10 provinces.

He says the explosion may cross the border.

Neighboring countries, including Malawi, South Africa and Mozambique, have also experienced frequent cholera outbreaks in the past./ CNA