A state of emergency has been declared in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, due to a cholera outbreak originating from inadequate access to clean water.
City authorities report that the outbreak, spreading across the state, has claimed dozens of lives, with 7,000 cases confirmed by health authorities.
On Thursday, Harare Mayor Ian Makone stated that the cholera outbreak resembles the 2008 incident in which over 4,000 people died.
According to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), following the recent deadly cholera outbreak, there has been a struggle to contain the high number of admissions in medical facilities. Additionally, there is a shortage of health workers and supplies to manage the cases and curb the transmission.
The IFRC reports a rapid spread of the disease, affecting multiple geographic areas in 45 out of 62 districts and in all 10 provinces of the country.
The organization notes that the outbreak may extend beyond the country’s borders.
