By Staff Reporter

Kwekwe is on high alert against cholera, a water-borne disease currently claiming lives in Zimbabwe.

Kwekwe City Council Acting Director of Health Services, Sister Patricia Shumba said the city has since taken proactive measures to ensure that the community is aware of the potential dangers cholera poses.

“We are continuously educating the community at our markets, and clinics, and recently we started a massive awareness campaign across the city where we are sensitizing the community against the sale and buying of food in open areas. We are also engaging those who cook food in open areas, conscientising them about the need to adhere to strict hygiene practices,” she said.

Zimbabwe, according to the Ministry of Information has recorded 2076 cases of cholera with 1942 recoveries and 15 confirmed deaths since the onset of the pandemic in February. All provinces have reported cholera suspected cases.

Kwekwe has been known for having the cleanest water in Zimbabwe but of late the city has been dogged with water shortages coupled with vandalism of water infrastructure by illegal gold panners putting thousands of residents at risk of contracting water borne diseases.