CommuTalk Reporter
GWERU – Fifty-one people have succumbed to cholera, while a further 1 137 cases have been recorded in the Midlands Province since the diseases was detected in December last year.
Speaking during a media engagement meeting provincial medical director Dr Mary Muchekeza said hotspots have been the mining districts of Shurugwi, Mberengwa and Zvishavane.
The province recently identified a new hotspot in Kwekwe District, Dr Muchekeza said.
“Sidhakeni area in Kwekwe District has been identified as the new cholera hotspot after cases went beyond 100 in April with three suspected deaths. The cases seem to be linked to cases happening in Kadoma an area that was dealing with cholera,” she said.
Dr Muchekeza said some deaths were happening in the community because people were not coming early enough to seek treatment.
Dr Muchekeza added that the key drivers of the cholera outbreak have been identified as open defecation, poor hygiene and poor water and sanitation with most of the small-scale miners lacking the necessary infrastructure such as toilets and safe water.
She also said the most appalling thing is that even the miners where they have asked owners to put up ablution facilities have not done so.
Midlands Province provincial epidemiology and disease control officer Dr Reginald Mhene said out of the 1 139 cases recorded in the province, Mberengwa has recorded the highest with 387 cases, followed by Zvishavane with 233 and Shurugwi with 189.
He said most deaths were in the hotspot areas of Mberengwa and Zvishavane with most being community deaths or people presenting themselves late for treatment.
Six out of seven deaths in Chirumanzu were in the communities involving members from apostolic sects, he said.
Gokwe North has recorded 84 cases, while Gokwe South has recorded 20 cases. Kwekwe has a total of 137, while Gweru has 52 cases.
Gokwe North and South have also recorded one death each of people who died in the community.
