Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe suspected in 150 deaths as disease spreads throughout country
NBCNov 27, 2023
The Facts
Zimbabwe is struggling to contain a cholera outbreak, with the government estimating that over 100 people have died and 5K have been infected since February.
Cases have been documented in all of the country's 10 provinces, with the southeastern province of Manicaland reporting more than 1K cases. The government has announced emergency measures to address the situation amid concerns of a repeat of the country's 2008 "national emergency" outbreak.
The Spin
Narrative A
Zimbabwe is in desperate need of proper sanitation and clean water infrastructure. Cholera has been an issue in the region for a long time, but in the past, more resources were dedicated to mitigating the spread of the disease. The government needs to improve its strategy to prevent a repeat of the 2008 outbreak that killed 4K people.
Narrative B
The government is doing its best to curb the spread of cholera, but it's facing resistance due to religious concerns. Zimbabweans in rural religious communities often don't seek education or medical attention for themselves or their families and are generally unaware of good sanitation practices. The government is conducting outreach in these areas, but traditional leaders must become part of the solution to increase awareness and improve infection prevention.