The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has issued a public health alert over an increased risk of cholera, citing heavy rains and recurrent flash flooding as potential triggers for a new outbreak.
In a statement released through its Public Relations Department, the ministry said the prevailing weather conditions have created a conducive environment for the spread of the disease.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care alerts the public to an increased risk of cholera following recent heavy rains and recurrent flooding,” the statement said.
It advised that Cholera was an acute diarrhoea disease transmitted through contaminated food or water and, if not treated promptly, could cause severe dehydration and death within a short period.
The ministry further urged the public to strictly observe preventive measures, including drinking only safe, treated, or boiled water, washing hands regularly with soap and clean running water, or using alcohol-based sanitisers, cooking food and consuming it while hot, buying food from approved and certified sources, washing fruits and vegetables with clean water,
Additional precautions include using safe sanitation facilities, maintaining proper personal and environmental hygiene, and seeking immediate medical attention in cases of watery diarrhoea, vomiting, or signs of dehydration.
Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant and promptly visit the nearest health facility if symptoms occur.
The ministry said health facilities across the country have been placed on heightened alert, with disease surveillance systems strengthened and rapid response teams on standby to enable early detection and containment of any suspected cases. It added that stocks of essential supplies, including oral rehydration salts and intravenous fluids, have also been pre-positioned at health institutions.
Local authorities were also urged to ensure the provision of safe drinking water, maintain refuse collection, and address sewer and sanitation challenges to reduce the risk of contamination.
Zimbabwe recorded its worst cholera outbreak in 2008, followed by subsequent outbreaks in 2018 and most recently in 2023 in Chegutu District. The latest outbreak was officially declared over on June 30, 2024, after the last confirmed case was reported.
