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Dr David Parirenyatwa

Diana Nherera Herald Reporter
Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa has urged the nation to be on high alert for cholera as the rainy season starts. He said although there had not been any cholera cases recently, his ministry wanted people to be on high alert during the rainy season. Cholera cases often spike during the rainy season due to poor sanitation and dirty wet conditions.

“Although there have not been any cholera cases that have been recorded, the Ministry of Health and Child Care still alerts the nation of the disease as we are in the rainy season.

“This is because during this time there is a lot of rain and dirt because of poor sanitation,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

The worst cholera outbreaks in Zimbabwe were recorded in 2008 and 2009, which were also attributed to poor sanitation and poor water infrastructure.

The outbreak left hundreds of people dead in some parts of Harare.

Other causes of cholera include refuse that has not been collected, burst sewers that are not attended to and the unavailability of running water.

Cholera is caused by a bacteria called vibro cholerae and it spreads by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated and is characterised by heavy watery diarrhoea.

Other symptoms are intense thirst, little or no urine, dry skin and mouth, absence of tears. If the symptoms are left untreated, they can lead to death.