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George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
AN outbreak of dysentery has hit Masvingo’s Mutimurefu Prison and surrounding areas, where nearly 170 cases were reported in the last two weeks. There are also unconfirmed reports that the outbreak also claimed one inmate at the prison before the pandemic was finally contained. Out of the 170 cases that were reported, 129 cases were among inmates in the prison while 39 cases where reported in the Mutimurefu Prison’s immediate neighbouring community.

Masvingo-Midlands region Zimbabwe Prison Service public relations officer Mr Jere Rizive yesterday confirmed the outbreak of dysentery at Mutimurefu Prison but said the situation was now under control.

Mr Ruzive said one inmate died at the prison but denied that the death was linked to dysentery. “It is true that we had an outbreak of dysentery at Mutimurefu prison in Masvingo but the problem has since been contained after the ministry of Health and Child Care intervened,” said Mr Ruzive.

“However, I want to point out that the death of one inmate at Mutimurefu Prison had nothing to do with the outbreak of dysentery. The inmate in question was suffering from another disease which, of course, had nothing to do with the dysentery.’’

Indications are that the outbreak was caused by contaminated water and the ministry of Health and Child Care, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority and the International Red Cross Society have since completed an exercise to upgrade and chlorinate the facility’s water supply system.

Acting Masvingo provincial medical director Dr Kudzai Masinire on Monday confirmed the outbreak of the disease at Mutimurefu Prison and surrounding areas which he said had been contained.

Dr Masinire said the water supply system at the prison had been upgraded.
He added that there was nothing conclusive to suggest that the death of one inmate at the prison during the time of the outbreak was caused by dysentery.