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News / Civil society

Harare Residents Exposed to Waterborne Diseases

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Tatenda Gumbo

12.12.2012

WASHINGTON — The Harare Residents' Association says drinking water from unprotected wells carries a big risk of contracting a waterborne disease, such as typhoid, which recently killed at least 5 people in Glenview high density suburb.
 
The association said local authority health delivery services and the Ministry of Health need to take action and help educate the public about taking water from untreated wells, particularly in Dzivararesekwa, Mufakose, Budiriro and Highfields suburbs.
 
The organization, which has structures in the 46 wards in Harare, said cases of typhoid, cholera and dysentery have been found.
 
Combined Harare Residents’ Association chairman, Simbarashe Moyo, told VOA the association wants to raise awareness to residents.
 
Dr. Portia Manangazira, head of Epidemiology and Disease Control with the Ministry of Health confirmed the cases, saying the ministry is working to curb the typhoid outbreak which has not subsided since early this year.

Dr. Mananganzira said to date, since the outbreak which spans back to October last year, 5,805 people have been found with typhoid symptoms.

A deadly outbreak of the disease two years ago killed more than 4,200 people.

Health officials encourage those who find themselves with symptoms of common diarrhea, typhoid, cholera including fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain to report the matter to the Harare City Council’s Health Department.
Interview With Simbarashe Moyo
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Interview With Portia Manangazira
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