By Nyasha Dube
Zvishavane residents have been urged to be on high cholera alert, as health officials have recorded 12 identified cases so far in the mining town.
This comes at a time when Zimbabwe has been grappling with the medivial disease for months now, with over 5000 people reportedly infected and over 1000 deaths recorded, according to government estimates.
Speaking to Women’s Weekly Journal, Zvishavane District Hospital Health Promotion Officer Rumbidzai Chikwana said the cases have mostly been identified in small scale mining areas.
“We have identified cases in mines along Mberengwa road around Hungwedza, Simrak and China-Zim areas and that population is very mobile thereby putting everyone in the mining town at risk,” she said.
Chikwana added that residents should be on high alert emphasizing on the importance of adhering to hygienic practices.
“The most important issue when dealing with cholera is personal hygiene. We also discourage handshakes during this time as they can fuel the spread of cholera. If you have diarrhea visit the nearest health facility.”
Chikwana also urged residents not by food and consumables from the streets.
“I highly encourage road side food vendors to temporarily halt their businesses until we have fully contained the cholera outbreak,” she said.
Cholera is a water-borne disease caused by consuming contaminated food and water.
The signs and symptoms include profuse diarrhea oftenly called rice water stools, abdominal pain, vomiting, leg cramps, sunken eyes and low blood pressure.
Some of the recommended preventive measures include washing hands with soap all the times, using proper ablution facilities, drinking safe water, cooking food well and eating whilst its hot, among other hygienic practices.