A typhoid outbreak is threatening Harare residents as four more people are infected by the disease, bringing the number of infected locals to 31, while over 400 suspected cases are being monitored.
Harare City Council spokesperson Michael Chideme told VOA Studio 7 they have now declared the disease an outbreak, meaning that the council has to mobilize all resources in the fight against the outbreak.
The typhoid has already claimed one life since the disease was first reported in Harare’s southern suburbs of Glen Norah, Glen View, Budiriro, Hatfield and Hopley almost a month ago while two of the latest cases were detected at Mereki, a popular drinking joint in Warren Park “D”.
Chideme said his council is doing all it can to make sure that the disease is contained, adding that the cases are not rising as was reported in some sections of the media.
He said, “No, the cases are not growing as you are alleging, the rate of growth is actually low because of the education we are giving out to the people.
“Because we are giving people education and for you to suggest that the cases are growing it’s not fair.”
Typhoid is spread through poor sanitary conditions, especially dirty drinking water and contaminated food.
Chideme said they visited Mereki on Tuesday to educate the people there and to inspect their toilets and the way they handle their food, and all the other open-air venues in and around Harare.
