THE City of Bulawayo has recorded approximately 555 diarrhoea cases as of August this year compared to 70 cases in the previous month, signifying a 693% jump in infections.
According to the latest Bulawayo City Council minutes under the adverse conditions which were reported in August 2024, the city also recorded one imported malaria case and five dysentery cases compared to seven cases in July.
The report also indicated that the city recorded a rise in the number of dog bites, from 39 in the previous month to 78.
“Six snake-bite cases were reported compared to zero cases from the previous month, (while) 56 acute malnutrition cases were recorded compared to 35 cases from the previous month and 265 influenza cases were recorded compared to 198 cases from the previous month,” the council reported.
The report also indicated that the city recorded one COVID-19 case, with three cases of mumps recorded compared to 11 cases from the previous month.
The council, however, said no cases of measles or cholera were reported in the city in August this year.
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“The increase in adverse conditions reported called for early detection, response (24 hours) and timely containment (14 days) of disease outbreaks, early identification of priority areas for multi sectoral interventions and targeted response (spatial distribution) and maintaining surveillance and staying alert, ready to respond quickly to any suspected infectious diseases, so that any flare-ups, or sporadic cases that may occur following an outbreak, are contained, timeously,” it said.
The council said it needed a 100% follow-up of all suspected infectious diseases, identifying risk factors associated with contracting COVID-19, cholera or GIT to recommend prevention and control measures and active case finding and tracing activities.
On disease surveillance, the council said the province rolled out intensified emergency response mechanisms for all pillars to detect, contain, monitor, predict and manage disease outbreaks as they continue to evolve.
The local authority said three requisitions were received for the control of rodents, cockroaches, mosquitoes and white ants during the month.
The council noted that the Supplies and equipment section received 50 pairs (PVC) gloves and five boxes of surgical masks.
On COVID-19 activities, two institutions were disinfected using 3% hydrogen peroxide during the month.
“Disinfection of a grave and home for a COVID-19 death was also done,” the minutes read.
On health promotion, the minutes said the health services director Edwin Sibanda reported that social and behaviour change communication activities were conducted using a mix of communication channels.
“Community announcements using megaphones were done with integrated messaging on prevention of diarrhoeal diseases, human papilloma virus (HPV), anti littering, food safety, hypertension and diabetes.
“Four broadcast infomercials were conducted on radio on human papilloma virus vaccination, waste management, water situation in the City of Bulawayo, sewer chokes prevention, and diarrhoea prevention we done.
“The major issues raised by residents were on water and sewer chokes challenges. A total of six community dialogues were conducted reaching 180 members of the community in all the three administrative districts. The stakeholders were youth, caregivers/parents, traditional healers, religious leaders, disabled persons and councillors.”
The council said key issues raised were on cancer of the cervix screening services, of which participants encouraged each other on the importance of cancer screening and encouraging young girls to acquire HPV vaccine (10-14 years) and boys to get circumcised.
“Increase in hypertension and diabetes: there was a need for regular check-ups and education on healthy lifestyle. Health education sessions on various health issues were conducted in all health facilities complimented by different videos with various health messages flighted on television sets,” the minutes read.