A cholera outbreak in Chunya District, Mbeya Region, Tanzania, has resulted in 12 deaths and affected 680 individuals since October. Dr. Zuberi Mzige, the district medical officer, provided an update during the third-quarter district council meeting, highlighting that the outbreak unfolded in two phases. The first wave, starting in October, saw over 600 cases and 10 deaths, while the second phase at the end of December led to 80 new cases and two additional fatalities.
The most affected area is Kiwanja ward, which has inadequate sanitation and a high concentration of mines. The majority of the infected individuals are miners from Kiwanja, Ifumbo, Itumbi, and Makongolosi wards. Treatment is being provided across several healthcare facilities, including the district hospital, Makongolosi Health Center, and dispensaries in the region.
According IP Media, local officials are working to educate the public about sanitation practices, particularly warning miners against drinking rainwater collected in pits, as it is often contaminated. Water agency officials are also testing water samples to identify contamination sources, and efforts are underway to treat contaminated water supplies.
District council vice-chairman Ramadhani Shumbi emphasized the importance of continuous sanitation education, especially in high-density areas with major economic activities such as gold mining and tobacco farming. He urged councillors to support the public in adopting proper hygiene practices and building latrines to prevent further cholera outbreaks.