BIKITA – Health authorities in Bikita have decreed a ban on the serving of food during funerals, weddings and other public gatherings in a desperate measure to prevent the spread of cholera in a district that has seen a recent outbreak of the dreaded disease.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the measure will be in place until the health challenge has been contained.

“In light of the current cholera outbreak in our district, this office writes to enforce the provisions of the Public Health Act CP 15:17 Section 46.

“We effect that no gatherings that provide food will be sanctioned until our outbreak subsides.

“All deaths be notified to Ministry of Health and Child Care. All funerals be supervised by health staff and not provide food.

“Please be guided accordingly. In the interest of Public Health,” read the statement.

Cholera cases have been confirmed in different parts of the country amid fears of the spread of a disease which once threatened to decimate the population between 2008 and 2009 when over 4,000 people died in a few months from over 100,000 cases that were detected countrywide.

Buhera district has seen 12 people succumb to the contagious disease in a month and with cases reportedly hovering above 152.

The recent outbreak was detected in February 2023. Manicaland and Masvingo have reported higher numbers than any other provinces.

Zimbabwe is among 11 African countries where cholera is now endemic, meaning that the cases sprouting in the country are not imported from elsewhere but are emanating from within our borders mostly due to poor service delivery by the government to provide clean water and proper ablution services.

Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhoea lasting a few days.

Vomiting and muscle cramps may also occur.

Diarrhoea can be so severe that it leads within hours to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

This may result in sunken eyes, cold skin, decreased skin elasticity, and wrinkling of the hands and feet. Dehydration can cause the skin to turn bluish.