HARARE, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government says it is concerned about the number of people still presenting with cholera signs and symptoms, despite a vaccination program against the diarrhea disease that started last week.
Epidemiology and disease control director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Portia Manangazira told media that as of Tuesday, 40 new cases had been reported in Harare's south-western high density suburbs of Glen View and Budiriro, state media Herald newspaper reported Friday.
Two other suspected cases had also been reported in nearby Chitungwiza town, south of the city.
Manangazira said as of Tuesday, 63 percent of the population in Budiriro and 80 percent in Glen View had been vaccinated.
She added that although effective public health intervention required a vaccinated rate of over 80 percent, the government was satisfied that that those who had been vaccinated would be able to protect others.
At least 49 people, mainly from Harare, have died from cholera since early September.
The government intends to vaccinate about 1.4 million residents in 13 selected high density suburbs in Harare and the environs of Chitungwiza and Epworth.
