Investigation of a Cholera Outbreak in Manicaland in 2023

Abstract

Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae is a water borne disease that has caused various outbreaks in Zimbabwe and other countries for centuries. This study was done to investigate the 2023 cholera outbreak in the seven districts of Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. The aim was to establish the socio- economic and socio-demographic factors that were associated with this outbreak. In addition, the laboratory information regarding the particular biotypes associated with the outbreak as well as the antibiotic resistance patterns were also noted. This was done as a retrospective cross-sectional study. The results showed that the Vibrio cholera biotype responsible for the 2023 Cholera Outbreak in Manicaland was El Tor. Mutare district had the most cholera cases with 55% and Nyanga had the least with 0.5% of the cholera culture-confirmed cases. The results also showed that the age group 20-69 years for both males and females had the highest numbers of cholera cases with 67.8% each. The least affected age group was the <2years with 2.8% and 1.5% for males and females respectively. It was found that lack of treated water, poor personal hygiene and overcrowding were the socio-economic demographic factors highly associated with the outbreak. Of all the cultured isolates of V. cholerae, 100% of them were susceptible to Tetracycline, Azithromycin and Ciprofloxacin. However, Ciprofloxacin was out of stock more than 6 out of the 8 months under this study. There was 100% resistance observed in Cotrimoxazole and Ampicillin. From the results obtained in can be recommended also that there is need for health education to improve personal and communal hygiene including hand washing with soap and water.