Zim bans meat vending to curb cholera spread

HARARE – The Zimbabwe government has banned public sales of meat to curb the spread of cholera that has claimed 14 lives and left dozens hospitalised, the official Herald newspaper reported on Tuesday.

State media has reported that cholera has claimed lives in the rural districts of Buhera, Chikomba and Chivhu in the last two weeks and has been recorded in the capital Harare recently. A commission running Harare has also recommended to the government the closure of Mbare market, Zimbabwe’s largest market for fresh produce and other commodities, to prevent the spread of the disease.Cholera can be transmitted through contaminated water or food.Outbreaks can occur where the water supply, sanitation, food safety and hygiene are inadequate, according to World Health Organisation guidelines.Zimbabwe has seen several outbreaks of cholera cases over the last few years, putting a heavy strain on a collapsing health system as the southern African nation suffers an economic crisis that has hampered importation of critical drugs and equipment.Health Minister David Parirenyatwa told the Herald that the number of suspected cholera cases had risen to 14 but was quick to say the situation had been brought under control.Health officials were not immediately available for comment.The latest outbreak comes as Zimbabwe’s cities grapple with broken down systems and failure by municipal authorities to collect refuse from residential areas, citing fuel shortages.- Nampa-ReutersA commission running Harare has also recommended to the government the closure of Mbare market, Zimbabwe’s largest market for fresh produce and other commodities, to prevent the spread of the disease.Cholera can be transmitted through contaminated water or food.Outbreaks can occur where the water supply, sanitation, food safety and hygiene are inadequate, according to World Health Organisation guidelines.Zimbabwe has seen several outbreaks of cholera cases over the last few years, putting a heavy strain on a collapsing health system as the southern African nation suffers an economic crisis that has hampered importation of critical drugs and equipment.Health Minister David Parirenyatwa told the Herald that the number of suspected cholera cases had risen to 14 but was quick to say the situation had been brought under control.Health officials were not immediately available for comment.The latest outbreak comes as Zimbabwe’s cities grapple with broken down systems and failure by municipal authorities to collect refuse from residential areas, citing fuel shortages.- Nampa-Reuters