The Herald – 17 January 2010
Nine die of diarrhoea in Mwenezi
Health officials investigating eight cholera-related cases in the area
From George Maponga in MASVINGO
NINE people have died of severe diarrhoea caused by suspected food poisoning in different parts of Mwenezi District, while health officials are investigating eight cholera-related cases in the area.
Masvingo provincial medical director Dr Robert Mudyiradima yesterday said the nine deaths were reported in Lapache, Umbono and Nyahombe communal lands and were linked to suspected food poisoning.
The cholera cases were also reported in the same communal areas. Dr Mudyiradima said they had dispatched teams of experts to the affected areas to assess the situation.
“There was an outbreak of diarrhoea in Mwenezi, which claimed nine lives but the outbreak was linked to suspected food poisoning because we failed to get positive results for cholera when samples were tested.
“However, of late there has been an outbreak of cholera in these areas, with eight cases having been identified so far. We have dispatched teams of experts to assess the situation.
“Cholera cases were reported in Umbono, Nyahombe and Nuanetsi Ranch in Mwenezi District,” Dr Mudyiradima said.
He said the situation was, however, under control as health officials had started disinfecting wells.
“We are doing all that we can to make sure that the situation is under control and at the moment we have been disinfecting several wells in the areas affected by the outbreak.
“The situation is under control at the moment,” he said. Besides Mwenezi, suspected cholera cases have been reported in the Zaka area.