In response to an alarming increase in diarrhoea cases, health authorities in the Midlands have issued an immediate closure order for Mkoba Teachers College. The decision, communicated in a letter dated November 13 from Midlands provincial medical director Dr Mary Muchekeza, comes after the college reported a cumulative total of 508 diarrhoeal cases within a month, starting from the 3rd of the same month.

Dr Muchekeza highlighted poor kitchen hygiene, inadequate storage practices leading to cross-contamination, and the presence of non-medically examined food handlers as contributing factors to the outbreak. Eight water samples collected for analysis revealed three samples unfit for human consumption. As a precautionary measure, a 14-day closure was recommended to implement necessary corrective measures before reopening.

This closure may disrupt scheduled events and examinations at the institution. It is worth noting that this incident occurs amid the country’s battle against a widespread cholera outbreak affecting 46 districts.