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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
Gweru City Council has allayed fears of a suspected typhoid outbreak in Mkoba 19 after samples sent for testing did not contain salmonella bacteria that causes the water-borne disease.

Social media has been awash with stories indicating that people from Mkoba 19 recently visited health centres across the city presenting symptoms closely related to typhoid.

Addressing a press conference, GCC director of health services Mr Sam Sekenhamo indicated that there has not been any case of typhoid recorded in Gweru this year adding that their rapid response team is on high alert.

“We want to assure the Gweru residents that we do not have any case of typhoid,” he said.

“We have taken samples and the results have indicated no presence of salmonella bacteria which causes typhoid. We are here to clarify false reports circulating on social media that typhoid has resurfaced in Mkoba. Our health teams are on the ground right now conducting further surveillance of any diarrhoeal disease outbreaks,” he said.

Mr Sekenhamo said the city health department is working with all public and private hospitals and has advised them to refer any suspected typhoid cases to the council run infectious disease hospital.

“Following the typhoid outbreak experienced last year, council has opened an isolation hospital for infectious diseases hence we are working with all private hospital and laboratories to refer any listed notifiable diseases under the Public Health Act,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association president Mr Cornelia Selipiwe also indicated in the same forum that massive water rationing introduced recently was likely going to cause water borne diseases.

“Water rationing is also a recipe for disaster for residents. We have a situation like in Mkoba 19 suburb where residents only get portable water for two days a week. The water pipes are corroded and when water comes it will be yellowish with rust. All the other days people rely on boreholes and wells for portable water. The prevailing water situation is not sustainable at all,” he said.

Last year about eight residents died while over 2000 were left requiring medical assistance after a typhoid outbreak.