HARARE, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A fresh typhoid outbreak has been recorded in Harare's oldest, impoverished suburb of Mbare where at least 18 cases of the waterborne disease have been confirmed, an official said Tuesday.
"I can confirm that we are experiencing an outbreak of typhoid in Harare and the epicenter is Matapi hostels in Mbare," City of Harare Health Director Prosper Chonzi was quoted as saying by the state-run news agency New Ziana.
"So far we have confirmed around 18 patients with salmonella typhoid. Others I believe are still incubating as you know the incubation period for typhoid is 21 days," said Chonzi.
Chonzi said there were no deaths recorded from the current outbreak, which started at the weekend.
He attributed the renewed outbreak to poor hygienic standards in the suburb and suspected that a contaminated borehole in the area was the source of the outbreak.
Harare has over the last few years been recording recurrent outbreaks of typhoid and other water borne diseases due to water shortages, raw sewer spillages and uncollected garbage.
At least six people are reported to have succumbed to typhoid and other related diseases in Harare in 83 recorded cases of diarrhea illnesses since 2016.
