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Midlands Bureau
A suspected cholera case has been reported in Kwekwe, with the local authority saying it was on high alert. The patient suspected to be suffering from the disease is being closely monitored at Kwekwe District Hospital.

The city’s acting director of health Mr John Bandama confirmed that the local authority received a report of a suspected Cholera case and was making a follow-up on the matter.

“We received a report of a suspected cholera case at Kwekwe District Hospital,” he said. “We are making a follow-up to ascertain whether it’s true or not.”

Mr Bandama could not state which area the suspected cholera patient came from.

He said the patient would be taken to an isolation clinic if it was confirmed to be a cholera case.

“We have an isolation clinic set aside for the treatment of cholera patients, which is fully equipped to contain the disease in case of an outbreak,” he said. “So, if it is confirmed, the patient will be transferred to our Mbizo 1 clinic.”

Mr Bandama said the clinic, which can accommodate about 30 patients, had special beds and other equipment designed to curb cholera.

He said the city’s District Civil Protection Unit was on high alert of the disease.

“We have reactivated our District Protection Unit, which comprises of all health departments in the district and is chaired by Kwekwe City Council,” said Mr Bandama. “If it’s confirmed that it is indeed a cholera case, we are ready.” Mr Bandama urged residents to maintain high standards of hygiene, as well as avoid buying food from illegal food outlets.

“With the prevailing wet conditions, we urge residents to desist from buying prepared food from backyard food outlets and illegal vendors,” he said. “We also urge them to keep high standards of hygiene to avoid the disease outbreak.”

A cholera outbreak claimed four lives in Chegutu recently.