By Catherine Murombedzi
Harare:Underground water in Harare’s Western District is unfit for human consumption. From 23 September cholera was noted in Western District after the first wave from April to July had been declared over. A total of 1618 suspected cholera cases were reported with 1130 confirmed as of November 6. A majority of cholera cases, 90% are recorded from the Western District. All effluent from the capital city is deposited in the Western District.
The September wave was imported after some residents from the Western District had visited Buhera, Manicaland Province, where cholera had been reported. A second family had also been to a funeral in Mhondoro. Gatherings are super spreaders, and people are urged to observe absolute hygiene at gatherings.
Dr Michael Vere, Head of Harare City Epidemiology and Disease Control, updated health journalists on the current cholera situation.
He was speaking at a week-long workshop for Health Journalists by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, supported by Higher Life Foundation.
Dr Vere said hygiene in males was lower as compared to females. This was evident in the disparity of cholera infection being higher in males.
“More men are affected with cholera as compared to women, with 58% of males and women at 42%. Hygiene levels require to be noted in men.
“As council, we are now taking the messages to areas where men converge,” said Dr Vere.
Glen View, Glen Norah, Budiriro, Highfield, Mufakose and surrounding farms make the Western District. A total of 141 suspected cases, 71 confirmed, and 4 deaths were recorded.
On November 3, Mufakose reported a cholera case.
Crowborough reported 10 cases. Harare is now a cholera high-risk area.
“The Northern District has reported 27 cholera cases with Kuwadzana, Paddocks, Crowborough, Dzivarasekwa. Kuwadzana affected. The cholera challenge is growing. Residents must protect themselves.
“The Southern District noted 37 cases. Mbare, Stoneridge, and irregular settlements Hopeley, and Southlea Park also reported cases. As the Ciity, we visited the area to manage the cases.” said Dr Vere.
“The Eastern District rarely reports cholera cases.
The city’s waste goes to the Western District. The Eastern District is not home of all the city’s waste.
“The burden of the cholera disease in Harare is the Western District. People above 15 years bear the cholera burden. With a case of a child less than one year noted. Per 100 000 people in Harare 7 have been affected. The under one year olds are the second in burden.
“The city is working to contain the outbreak.
Water, access, sanitation, and hygiene, (WASH) are the basis of overcoming cholera.
“Lake Chivero was constructed in 1952. Demand is now outstripping supply. All effluent goes there.To clean the water is now very expensive, requiring millions of US dollars,” lamented Dr Vere.
“The City is producing a third of required water. The chemicals are expensive. Residents are billed in local currency, yet chemicals are purchased in US dollar terms.
“Major sewerage bursts occur, with a particular one in Glen View requiring US$16m to repair,” he said.
“With Kunzvi Dam soon to be commissioned, the City hopes this will be a relief,” said Dr Vere.
Dr Vere appreciates partners, mainly
Oxfam which has helped with repairing 15 boreholes in affected areas.
“Some boreholes are contaminated with sewer, which needs a purifier installed.
“We also give aquatics and waterguard. Boiling water is effective, but residents complain of power outages.
Waterguard is in short supply, so not everyone is getting it.
“In the Western District, 100% of the wells are contaminated, 50% of boreholes are contaminated, too. The Tichagirika shops borehole in 2018 was a source of cholera outbreak,” said Dr Vere.
Speaking on case management, all clinics are ready to handle cholera cases.
“Patients are put on drip and if severe, they are transferred to Wilkins or Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Oral rehydration points in the endemic areas have been opened at Budiriro Poly Clinic, Rutsanana, and Glen View Poly Clinic is admitting patients, ” Dr Vere added.
Hygiene begins with you.
Feedback: cathymwauyakufa@gmail.com
