THERE are fears of a diarrhoea outbreak in Bulawayo’s Pumula South suburb as the city continues to endure water shortages.
Residents have to rely on untreated borehole water among other unsafe sources after going for days without tap water.
A Pumula South resident, Marco Siwela, said there was panic in the high-density suburb after many residents developed diarrhoeal symptoms.
“It’s a bit unsettling because summer is here and there is still a serious shortage of water and now this. One just wonders when we will have a break as a people,” he said.
Speaking on the persistent water challenges, outgoing councillor Siboniso Khumalo said council had put in place measures to stop the spread of diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases.
“There is a water shortage this side,” he said.
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“We are not sure exactly what the cause is, but as we are waiting for official communication from the council, I advise residents to boil water and use soap and or ash when washing their hands.”
Repeated efforts to get a comment from Bulawayo health services director Edwin Sibanda were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable.
In 2019, diarrhoea claimed 13 lives in Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb and left over 1 000 people hospitalised.
The outbreak was blamed on water shortages and sewage from burst pipes which contaminated water sources.