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Patrick Chitumba, [email protected] 

MIDLANDS Province has recorded 390 cholera cases and 23 deaths since the disease broke out in February last year with the highest incidence reported in Mberengwa District.

According to figures prepared by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (Midlands Cholera Situation report) of January 21, there are four new suspected cholera cases in the province 

“Cumulative cholera cases for Midlands Province since February 2023 to date is 390 and 23 deaths,” reads the report.

The report noted the overall case fatality rate (CFR) is at 5,9 percent in the province.

“There are currently 13 cases in care with Mberengwa (7), Gokwe North (0), Kwekwe (1), Gweru (1), and Zvishavane (4), with a recovery rate of 91percent, as of 18 January 2024,” reads part of the report.

It is stated in the report that there is a general increase in cases across the province with Mberengwa being the most affected.

“Cumulative suspected cases per district are as follows, Chirumhanzu (37), Gokwe North (28), Gokwe South (5), Gweru (9), Kwekwe (3), Mberengwa (174), Shurugwi (0), Zvishavane (115),” read the report. 

The cholera epidemic broke out in February 2023 and has since affected all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. 

The country will this week take delivery of a consignment of close to one million cholera vaccines ahead of the commencement of a nationwide vaccination campaign set to kick off next month.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has secured about 2,2 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine (ocv) from the International Coordinating Group (ICG), which will be delivered in batches.

The vaccination campaign, targeting multiple hotspot districts in seven provinces, will begin on February 29.

The ICG is a global health initiative established in 1997 under the World Health Organisation (WHO) to manage and coordinate the emergency supply and distribution of vaccines for critical outbreaks of four specific diseases — cholera, meningitis, yellow fever, and Ebola. Zimbabwe is presently battling a cholera outbreak that has so far claimed 71 lives, while more than 300 others are suspected to have succumbed to the waterborne disease.

As of January 17, Zimbabwe had reported 18 865 suspected cholera cases, 2 223 confirmed cases, and 12 137 recoveries.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze said the vaccination programme will be rolled out in phases.