Bulawayo on high cholera alert

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has declared its preparedness to deal with any Cholera outbreak in the city.

This comes after government declared a state of emergency following the death of 21 people in Harare due to Cholera.

In a press statement on Wednesday, the local authority warned residents from using water from unsafe sources.

“In the event of using borehole water or water stored in containers residents are encouraged to boil before use,” said Nesisa Mpofu, the city`s Senior Public Relations Officer.

“We also continue to encourage residents to practice good personal hygiene such as washing hands after using the toilet, eat food from reputable sources, ensure fruits and vegetables are thoroughly washed before consumption”.

Mpofu said council had facilities in place to treat any patients who contract the water borne disease.

“In the event of a communicable disease case such as cholera or typhoid, the City of Bulawayo has a hospital ward set aside for such diseases at the infectious diseases hospital in Thorngrove,” said Mpofu.

“To also prepare for such emergencies, the City of Bulawayo crafted an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP which outlines the frame work of dealing with such epidemics should one arise in Bulawayo and ensures that the City is prepared for such emergencies”.

Mpofu said the local authority would continuously monitor the city`s water quality.

Meanwhile, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) said they were embarking on awareness campaigns.

“We are working together with council and we are carrying out awareness campaigns to encourage residents to practice good hygiene,” said Emmanuel Nkomo, the organisation`s spokesperson.