Residents of Kuwadzana in Harare walk past raw sewage. (Photo Courtesy IRIN)

It is disheartening to note that typhoid cases continue to rise in Harare, though the cases have all been reported in Kuwadzana. Typhoid is a common worldwide bacterial disease, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with faecal matter from an infected person, which contain the bacterium Salmonella typhi. The pathogen works by perforating through the intestinal wall and thrives at 37 Degrees Celsius - human body temperature.

The best defence, therefore, is preventing ingestion of the pathogen and this can be done by improving sanitation and hygiene. The fact that typhoid does not affect animals means its passed from man to man, the onus is thus on us all to improve hygiene and sanitation.

Since typhoid can only spread in environments where faecal matter or urine are able come into contact with food or drinking water, careful food preparation and washing of hands are crucial to preventing typhoid.

Memories of the cholera epidemic that ravaged the city are still fresh, and bid us all to treat typhoid with the urgency it deserves. It is quite disturbing to hear that over 600 Harare residents have been affected and there are unconfirmed reports that the figure could be much higher.

Can we conclude that the city fathers are sleeping on duty? Many residents claim they are failing to control vending in the city and people sell their fruits and vegetables as they please.

It is our hope that all vendors in the city and some high-density areas should be made to sell their wares on designated points with clean running water, and toilets to facilitate proper hygiene.

The city health officials should be in a position to monitor standards in all vending sites and avoid pilling of garbage as currently obtaining. There are mounds of garbage everywhere in the city and given the prevailing wet conditions, these naturally become fertile breeding grounds for Salmonella typhi.

We propose that the city outlaws the selling of fish and meat on the streets and all people wishing to buy these products should obtain them from licensed shops with approved refrigeration facilities.

The people might be trying to eke a living by selling fish and meat on the street, but what benefits will the country accrue if hundreds of people end up seeking medical attention from already overstretched health system.

To nip the challenge in the bud, police, Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Veterinary Service Department should ensure that all fish poachers at Lake Chivero and other illegal sources of fish are arrested, while unlicenced meat dealers are arrested.

It's a fact that the economy has taken a huge knock from the sanctions, but Harare residents should take responsibility of their health. It does not pay to buy rotten fish and meat on the streets and end up incurring huge hospitals bills. The outbreak of typhoid has heightened fears that the disease has spread into the city centre.

On Tuesday director of city health services, Dr Proper Chonzi confirmed the outbreak, but confirmed that the source of the Salmonella typhi was not city's piped water.

Residents should boil water for domestic use, including treating it with aqua tablets. The tablets are available for free at all council clinics. All fruits and vegetables should be cleaned with soapy water and during this time of the year is not advisable to salads prepared from fruits and vegetables not properly prepared.

Harare Water department should keep water flowing in high-density suburbs. Although city health officials are said to be high alert, we are yet to see what their efforts are going to yield.

The World Health Organisation has identified typhoid as a serious public health problem. According to expert information on typhoid, most people show symptoms one to three weeks after exposure with symptoms being fever, headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, poor appetite, lethargy and delirium.

Should anyone in the family show these symptoms, medical assistance should be sought promptly.