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Dr Parirenyatwa

Diana Nherera Herald Reporter
Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa is set to meet his Mozambican counterpart over increases in cholera cases being reported near the two countries’ shared border.Speaking at a graduation ceremony for nurses and the official opening of Howard School of Nursing and Midwifery in Mashonaland Central recently, Dr Parirenyatwa said most cholera cases reported so far emanated along the border with Mozambique.

He said there was need for Government to have a broader understanding of what was happening in that country concerning the disease.

“Current cholera cases that have been recorded in Zimbabwe were mostly from along the borders with Mozambique and we need to look at what is happening in that country,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

Since the first cholera outbreak in December last year, Mozambique has recorded the highest number of cases, followed by Malawi and then Zimbabwe.

About eight cholera cases were reported in Beitbridge, Mudzi and Chiredzi last month and of those, Mudzi, near Nyamapanda border post which leads into Mozambique, recorded the highest cases.

The worst case of cholera outbreak in the country was in 2008 when hundreds of deaths were recorded.

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes watery diarrhoea and dehydration.

It is often caused by poor sanitation, uncollected refuse, burst sewer pipes and lack of potable water.

The disease is spread by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated by a bacterium termed vibrio cholera.

Signs and symptoms of cholera include intense thirst, little or no urine, dry skin and mouth and the absence of tears.

If left untreated, cholera can lead to death within a few days.