Cholera in Zimbabwe: Government imposes restrictions

The Zimbabwe Ministry of Health reported 343 new cases (16 confirmed; 327 suspected) and 11 new deaths (CFR: 3.2%) of cholera in the past couple weeks.

Buhera district accounts for over 80% of new cases.

Image/Robert Herriman

Cumulatively, 4,569 cases (934 confirmed; 3,645 suspected) and 129 deaths (CFR: 2.8%) have been reported from 41 of 59 districts.

Most of the cases and deaths were reported in September. Authorities fear a repeat of the 2008 epidemic where 4,000 people died.

Large gatherings at funerals have been stopped in some of the most affected areas in parts of the Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. No more than 50 people are allowed to attend funerals, while people should avoid shaking hands and are not allowed to serve food at the funerals, the government said.

The government has also said people should stop attending open markets, some social gatherings and outdoor church camps, where there is usually no sanitary infrastructure.

In Africa this year, 193,530 cases (85,630 confirmed; 107,900 suspected) and 3,003 deaths (CFR 1.6%) of cholera were reported from 18 African countries: Burundi (1,038 cases; 9 deaths), Cameroon (20,672; 487), Congo (93; 9), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (36,084; 303), Eswatini (2; 0), Ethiopia (24,200; 299), Kenya (8,811; 145), Malawi (42,927; 1,260), Mozambique (34,717; 144), Nigeria (2,860; 84), Somalia (13,652; 35), South Africa (1,074; 47), South Sudan (1,471; 2), Sudan (265; 18), Tanzania (87; 3), Uganda (78; 10), Zambia (930; 19) and Zimbabwe (4,569; 129).

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Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is spread through contaminated food or water.

It usually takes 2-3 days for symptoms to appear after ingesting cholera bacteria, ranging from a few hours to 5 days.

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Cholera can cause large amounts of watery diarrhea (described as a rice-water stool), nausea, and vomiting. Rapid loss of body fluids can lead to dehydration, shock, and even death.