Zimbabwe declares state of emergency in Harare over cholera outbreak

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe on Friday declared a state of emergency in the capital, Harare, over a deadly cholera outbreak.

The capital of some 1.5 million people had been badly hit by an outbreak of the disease that had affected all provinces of the southern African nation, according to Africanews.

Zimbabwe was reported to have recorded over 7,000 suspected cholera cases and almost 150 deaths, of which 51 had been confirmed by laboratory tests, since the outbreak was reported in February this year.

Read more: Zimbabwe struggles to contain spread of cholera, as 100 reportedly dead, 5000 infected

Official reports indicated that at least 12 people had died in Harare.

The acute diarrhoeal infection was contracted from a bacterium that is generally transmitted through contaminated food or water.

Supplies of drinking water have been erratic in some cities in Zimbabwe coupled with a lack of functioning infrastructure.

The health ministry and aid groups had joined forces to double the supply of water in affected areas and carry out awareness campaigns, Harare’s Mayor, Ian Makone, said.

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