Cholera in Zimbabwe

22 Nov 2023

The Zimbabwean Ministry of Health reports continuing transmission of cholera across Zimbabwe. As of 16 October 2023 there were 5 030 suspected cholera cases, 31 laboratory confirmed deaths, 108 suspected cholera deaths and 932 laboratory confirmed cases.

Areas affected by the outbreak include Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke, Wedza, Manicaland, Mindland, Harare and Matebeland.

Cholera is an infection spread mainly through food and water that can cause sudden watery diarrhoea.

Advice for Travellers

Cholera is rare in travellers. Mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

If you are travelling to a country where there is an outbreak of cholera, you should be aware how to:

• practice safe food and water precautions
• practice effective hand hygiene
• treat diarrhoea, and when to seek medical attention

A vaccine is available to protect against cholera. Since the risk to travellers is very low, the vaccine is only usually recommended for volunteers or humanitarian workers travelling to work in disaster relief situations.

See the fitfortravel Cholera page for further information.