By A Correspondent- MASVINGO Province has been placed on high alert following the admission of a cholera patient at a hospital in Chiredzi, raising fears of further transmission of the waterborne disease.

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamu said health authorities were notified of the case after the patient was admitted at a Chiredzi hospital on Tuesday.

Shamu was speaking at a Zanu PF meeting held at Masvingo Polytechnic on Wednesday when he revealed the development.
“We were informed that a cholera patient was admitted at a hospital in Chiredzi yesterday,” Shamu said.

He said the confirmation of an active cholera case triggers heightened health surveillance across the entire province because of the risk posed by the disease.

“Cholera is one of the diseases for which we put the entire province under red alert once a case has been recorded,” he said.

The provincial health authorities are expected to step up disease surveillance and preparedness measures as they monitor the situation and investigate the possibility of further cases.

Cholera can spread rapidly through contaminated food and water, particularly in communities with inadequate access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms such as severe watery diarrhoea and vomiting.