Talent Gore
HARARE has experienced a mumps outbreak, with almost 100 cases being recorded in the northern suburbs of Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant, Alexandra Park and Avonlea.
Refreshingly, there has been no new cases of cholera recorded in the capital city for almost a month.
The mumps outbreak has been linked to hesitancy by some parents, and guardians, to have their children vaccinated during mass inoculation programmes.
Harare City Council’s director of health services, Dr Prosper Chonzi, suggested that many people had lost faith in vaccination programmes conducted by public health institutions.
There have been no recorded cases of cholera in the Zimbabwean capital for almost a month, following an outbreak earlier in the year, which affected 3 880 people and claimed 19 lives.
“Since last month, we have not recorded any admission at Parirenyatwa Hospital or Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital from the cholera hotspot areas.
“We are glad to announce that the outbreak is now over in the city.
“The national recovery rate also currently stands at 98 percent,” said Dr Chonzi.
Seven new suspected cases of cholera were reported in Mutare rural (five) and one each in Bikita and Beitbridge.