Zimbabwe Struggles to Contain Typhoid Epidemic

On Saturday Harare officials will reportedly reopen the popular Mereki Drive-In, which was closed last month as the city battled to contain the spread of typhoid that has gripped the capital.

Some foods sold by street vendors at the park and elsewhere had been found to be contaminated and officials were concerned typhoid was being spread this way. The closure of Mereki had been met with much anger by vendors who make a living selling food and drinks or washing cars there.

Mfundo Mlilo, coordinator for the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), said new braai equipment and grills have been installed and the area appears much more sanitary.

Drastic measures were announced by Harare's health officials at a press conference last Tuesday, as part of their efforts to control the typhoid outbreak that has threatened the city. This included rationing water in the wealthy suburbs and providing it to poor townships that have none for long periods of time.

City officials also planned to close down boreholes in Mabvuku and Tafara, which were tested and originally found to be contaminated. But according to Mlilo, more tests are being done since no typhoid cases were reported in these areas.

At a press conference last week, town clerk Tendai Mahachi said the poor townships would receive uninterrupted water supplies and wealthy suburbs would receive water twice per week. Mlilo said it is not clear whether this rationing has already started.

These measures were decided on after the number of reported cases of typhoid increased to more than 1,500. Health Minister Dr. Henry Madzorera told reporters that an average of 30 to 50 typhoid cases were being reported daily. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported so far.

The Mugabe regime has clearly neglected the water and sanitation infrastructure since independence and the problem has now reached crisis proportions. Finance Minister Tendai Biti last week said US$40 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be used to make repairs,

But it is not clear how soon those funds will be available.

Typhoid symptoms include a constant fever, headaches, weakness, anorexia, constipation or diarrhoea in adults or a non productive cough.

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