Zimbabwe - Typhoid hits Harare, fears that water crisis will fuel spread of infectious diseases

[Gert van der Hoek]

Typhoid hits Harare, as water crisis fuels fears of new epidemics

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Fri, 29 Jan 2016

HARARE, Jan 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Health officials in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, have detected several cases of typhoid fever in the past week, adding to fears that a water crisis will fuel the spread of infectious diseases.

The city's health director, Prosper Chonzi, said six cases of typhoid had been confirmed, with more expected to emerge.

"The conditions on the ground - frequent water cuts and poor sanitation - are conducive to a typhoid outbreak," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

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[Gert van der Hoek]

See also: Things fall apart in Zimbabwe

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Zimbabwe: Typhoid Outbreak Hits City

jan 27, 2016

Harare City Council has dispatched teams of medical experts to investigate the magnitude of typhoid cases and curtail a further spread following confirmation of several incidents, amid fears of a major outbreak.

Harare City Health director Dr Prosper Chonzi said since last Friday they had confirmed three cases in Glen Norah, two in Hopley and one in Hatfield.

"We have sent our teams to assess the situation in those areas, particularly in Hopley, where there is strong suspicion that people could be sick from their homes. The teams will be interviewing and treating all suspected cases."

Dr Chonzi said Hopley was a cause for concern because of its proximity to Mbudzi roundabout where people prepare food and sell fruits under unhygienic conditions.

"We want all that to stop because it exacerbates the situation. With what is happening there and the confirmed cases we have seen so far, we are sitting on a health time bomb waiting to explode."