In the middle of covid-19 crisis Typhoid resurfaces in Harare

  • Two suspected cases of typhoid recorded in Kuwadzana Extension
  • Waterfall Retreat residents panic over typhoid
  • Chitungwiza mayor urges good hygiene practices

THE country’s State of health has been hit another blow following the suspected recent resurfacing of typhoid in some parts of Harare.

The Health scare bomb comes at a time Zimbabwe and the global community are trying to come out of the deadly effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Harare residents interviewed by Zim Morning Post have blamed Harare City Council authorities for failure to constantly supply clean water and delays in attending to sewer bursts for the re-emergence of the waterborne disease.

Cases of typhoid were last recorded in Glen View and Budiriro.

Kuwadzana Extension, where two cases were reported on Thursday, has become a new bastion of the disease.

The Kuwadzana Extension duo were reportedly first whisked to Wilkins Hospital after they were initially suspected of having contracted coronavirus but were later referred to Beatrice Infectious Hospital when tests indicated they had been infected with typhoid.

Harare mayor Hebert Gomba did not pick his cellphone when this publication contacted him for a comment.

Miriro Children Care Network founder Tanaka Mutava of Waterfall Retreat told Zim Morning Post that there was a serious shortage of boreholes and toilets in the area.

“Residents are suffering, especially with the current COVID-19 lockdown as we do not have sufficient safe water sources; something which could contribute to the outbreak of typhoid,” Mutava said.

“We are living in fear of the outbreak of typhoid while COVID19 is also breathing down our necks,” he added.

In an interview with Chitungwiza town mayor Lovermore Maiko regarding the water shortages and sewer pipe bursts, the mayor said their main worry was that the dormitory town had no meaningful water sources of its own as they mostly relied on Harare for supplies.

“We have appealed to those in authority to increase our water allocation, especially during this period,” Maiko said.

“We encourage people to practise hygiene in their homes regardless of the poor supplies of water. Our team will attend to any sewer bursts so as to avoid typhoid and other related diseases,” he said.