Malaria, diarrhoea wreaking havoc
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Malaria, diarrhoea wreaking havoc

MALARIA has so far killed 155 people this year while a total of 94 520 people have been infected, the Health and Child Care ministry has reported.

The latest weekly surveillance report for week 12, states that a total of 12 192 cases and 12 deaths were reported during this week. Children accounted for three deaths and 2 304 cases.

Health and Child Care minister, David Parirenyatwa, said there was need to intensify the fight against water borne diseases especially in border towns.

“Our border towns remain at risk, take for example the long Zimbabwe –Mozambique border stretch that is from Manicaland to Chikwalakwala.

Malaria is very common in such districts such as Mudzi which are along the border. This is because our borders are “transparent” and people are always travelling between these borders.
We have however setup vigilant emergence response teams in such areas to deal with such scourges. Traditionally, we also do house spraying during malaria peak periods,” he said.

According to the epidemiology and diseases control department, Manicaland recorded the highest number of malaria cases and deaths.

“The deaths were reported from Buhera district which recorded two deaths, Chimanimani which had one death, Mutare two, Mutasa one, and Nyanga district two deaths.

Mashonaland East and West provinces recorded one death each the same as Masvingo and Midlands provinces. Harare hospital also reported one death. All provinces are being encouraged to investigate all malaria deaths,” the report stated.

The also states that 10 564 cases and six deaths were also reported during week 12 bringing the cumulative figure of diarrhoea to 122 118 cases and 146 deaths.

The report states that provinces which recorded the highest number of cases were Mashonaland central and Mashonaland East.

Dysentery has also killed 46 people so far.

This comes at a time Zimbabwe is grappling with the issue of portable water shortages in rural areas and urban areas particularly.

Official statistics from Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstats) show that over 30% of Zimbabweans have no access to clean and safe water as well as sanitary facilities.

 

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