There are serious health fears across Harare after reports of a cholera outbreak earlier this week. According to independent health experts in the capital, the cholera outbreak has been created by the inability of the Harare City Council to provide residents with clean water. Cholera is an extreme diarrhoeal disease whose transmission in humans is mainly by ingestion of contaminated water or food. In its most severe form cholera is one of the most rapidly fatal illnesses.
| Most civilized countries treat their water to prevent this. |
Many Harare residents have been forced to drink unsafe water from streams and wells on the outskirts of the city. Complaints also abound that the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), is supplying people with untreated tap water. The state run ZINWA took over the administration of sewer and water reticulation from the City of Harare last year. |