Hugh Gombakomba Herald Reporter
The number of confirmed typhoid cases in Harare has gone up to 15 with 138 suspected cases reported in the past two weeks, Harare City Council health director Dr Prosper Chonzi has said.

In an interview with The Herald, Dr Chonzi said 15 of the confirmed cases where recorded in Budiriro, Glen Norah and Hopley.

“There have been 15 confirmed cases reported in the laboratory so far and we are still having inflows from different areas of suspected cases of the disease.

“This time from Mabvuku and Tafara, the western suburbs, that is Budiriro, Glen Norah and Hopley are also included,” said Dr Chonzi.

Dr Chonzi said Hopley still remains a cause for concern due to its proximity to Mbudzi roundabout where a lot of commercial, retailing and vending activities are rife.

“The conditions at the Mbudzi roundabout still remain alarming. This is so because it is more or less a bus terminus and there is uncontrolled vending thriving there.”

“As a result those people are permanently there, yet there are no ablution facilities and constant supply of water, which makes it a good breeding ground for typhoid,” said Dr Chonzi.

Dr Chonzi reiterated that communities should also discontinue the use of pit latrines as they are also primarily posing dangers to human life.

“Pit latrines have also been adding to the chaos. When heavy rains are experienced and we have the water table rising, what it means, consequently is that everything rises to the surface, and is washed off to seep into shallow unprotected water sources,” said Dr Chonzi.

He said the city’s acting corporate communications manager together with the water department were making concerted effort to help keep residents informed about water cuts.

Dr Chonzi urged various communities within the country to promote health and hygiene issues to help mitigate the impact and spread of typhoid, like washing hands after using the toilet and eating hot, properly cooked food.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey