ZIMBABWE has declared a state of emergency in the capital Harare over a cholera outbreak.
The outbreak has so far killed dozens of people with more than 7,000 suspected cases.
The city authorities say the outbreak, spreading throughout the city, has invoked memories of a deadly outbreak in 2008, in which thousands died.
“We have declared a state of emergency because of cholera,” local media quoted Mayor Ian Makone as saying.
The authorities are now asking for help to contain the spread and provide safe water, saying the aid being received is inadequate.
Health authorities have been struggling to contain the high number of admissions following the outbreak, according to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC).
It cites a lack of health workers to manage the cases, as well as lack of supplies to stop the transmission.
Zimbabwe has been battling the deadly cholera outbreak in recent months amid a lack of access to clean water.
The epicentre of the latest outbreak is Harare’s high-density suburb of Kuwadzana, which accounts for nearly half the reported cases, according to the authorities.
Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal infection is caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
It is treated with an oral rehydration solution, to replace the fluids and salts lost to diarrhoea and vomiting.
On Thursday, the Harare mayor said the cholera outbreak had similarities to the 2008 outbreak.
