Water-borne diseases increase

04 Jan, 2015 - 00:01 0 Views
Water-borne diseases increase

The Sunday Mail

Health Reporter

Cases of diarrhoeal diseases have been on the increase in the past few months with latest statistics showing that at least 11 000 people have been diagnosed with common diarrhoea and typhoid while 17 deaths were reported in a single week a fortnight ago.

While figures from last week were not immediately available, a surveillance report from the Ministry of Health and Child Care indicates that 9 611 cases and 12 deaths due to common diarrhoea were recorded three weeks ago. 64 suspected typhoid cases were also recorded during the same week.

The current surge in diarrhoeal cases has been attributed to most local authorities’ failure to provide clean potable water and efficient sewerage systems. A total of 571 359 cases and 886 diarrhoeal deaths were recorded in 2014 alone while 1 575 suspected typhoid cases and 11 deaths were reported during the same period.

Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa said the surge in water-borne diseases was a result of the rainy season.

“All provinces are warned to be wary of the impending surge of diarrhoeal diseases during the rainy season where there is an increase in flies,” he said. “Typhoid and common diarrhoea are perpetuated by poor water quality. Although no cholera case was reported in 2014, the increase in diarrhoeal diseases could be the recipe for its resurgence.”

Diarrhoea is a condition that involves the frequent passing of loose or watery stools.

Typhoid is a bacterial, water-borne disease transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with stool of an infected person.

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