Zimbabwe declares end to cholera outbreak; no new cases in 30 days

ZIMSPHERE 

HARARE – Zimbabwe has been declared cholera-free after 30 days without a new case, the government announced, urging citizens to maintain high standards of hygiene and sanitation.

Jenfan Muswere 

During a weekly post-cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere provided an update on the cholera situation in the country.

Muswere stated that Zimbabwe recorded its first cholera case in February 2023, which subsequently spread to most parts of the country, prompting a national outbreak declaration. 

He confirmed the country’s cholera burden is now officially over, with no new cases reported in all 63 districts.

"The Ministry of Health and Child Care would also want to inform the nation that as of today we have had 30 days without a single case of cholera in all our 63 districts and that the last case was on 30 June 2024 in Beitbridge," Muswere said. 

"Therefore, we are now declaring that the cholera outbreak, which started in February 2023, as officially ended. However, the public is encouraged to continue observing hygiene and sanitation at all times."

Minister of Health and Child Care Douglas Mombeshora echoed the call for continued vigilance in hygiene and sanitation practices.

"A lot of people relax when we say cholera is gone. What it means is that the interventions that we undertook as ministry and as government, those interventions have yielded the results that we wanted—that is to make sure that we suppress cholera," Mombeshora said. 

"But we still have challenges of water and sanitation in certain areas. So, we urge our people to continue with good hygiene and sanitation practices."

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness that can spread rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. 

It is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water, often due to water sources polluted by fecal matter containing the cholera bacteria.

The main symptom of cholera is profuse, watery diarrhea that can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. 

Other symptoms may include vomiting, muscle cramps, and a rapid heart rate.