Category: BREAKING NEWS

Zimbabwe Records 90 Days Without Mpox

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is among the few African countries that have not recorded any new Mpox cases in the past three months, a top official at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said. In October 2024, Zimbabwe reported its first cases of Mpox, two months after the Africa CDC declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental concern. However, recent data indicates that Zimbabwe has not recorded any confirmed cases during the past 90 days. Eight countries are now in the control phase, four…

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Zimbabwe Gains Ground in Cholera Battle

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa As 2025 began with a surge in cholera cases, particularly in Mazowe’s Glendale area and Kariba, recent developments indicate that the outbreak is now under control due to swift interventions by the government and its partners. The current cholera outbreak started on November 24, 2024, in Gachegache, Kariba district. Cases have since been reported in the Glendale area of Mazowe district, with sporadic instances in Chiredzi, Chipinge, Bikita, Bindura, Shamva, and Kadoma. However, sustained community transmission did not follow these isolated cases. The number of new daily…

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Zimbabwe Records Over 600 Dog Bites in One Week

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has raised alarm over the increasing number of dog bites, with a significant proportion of these bites attributed to unvaccinated dogs. According to the Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending January 5, 2025, a total of 635 dog bite cases were reported, with no deaths recorded. Of these cases, 141 (22%) involved vaccinated dogs, 118 (18%) involved unvaccinated dogs, and 366 (60%) involved dogs of unknown vaccination status. In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr. Isaac Phiri, the…

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Zimbabwe In Certificates of Good Standing Backlog

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe could be sitting on a stockpile of Certificates of Good Standing (CGS), amidst indications that the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) has processed only four certificates this year. Last week, the NCZ issued a press statement warning the public about the proliferation of fake CGS documents. However, some sources have accused the council of failing to process legitimate applications, alleging that the last certificates were issued in 2022. These verification letters don’t come out. They last issued these certificates in January 2022,” a source said. “You…

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CDC Pilots Tool That Can Predict Diseases Outbreak Ahead Of Time

Healthtimes

Can we predict the ebb and flow of infectious disease the way meteorologists predict the weather? The federal government has bet big on the concept with a new nationwide network called Insight Net, which links academic disease modelers with public health practitioners. The network comprises 13 research consortia with participants in 24 states and is funded with up to $262 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Insight Net members are piloting analytical techniques that combine novel data sources to guide surveillance and inform decision-making during outbreaks. The…

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Scientists discover how many times men should have sex per year to greatly reduce risk of heart disease

Healthtimes

Start having sex for your heart, not your penis For the benefit of your heart, you might need to start getting more active in the bedroom, according to new research. Taking care of our bodies is crucial and necessary for everyone, but not everyone ties that into sexual frequency. A recent study has suggested men should be having quite a lot of sex to help significantly reduce the risk of heart disease in later life. Expert scientists from China, concluded that men who engage in sexual activity more often are…

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Renowned Health Journalist Rumbidzai Zinyuke Appointed to National AIDS Council Board

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Seasoned health journalist and the current senior health reporter at The Herald, Rumbidzai Zinyuke, has been appointed to the National AIDS Council (NAC) board. Zinyuke will represent the media on the board, bringing her expertise to the national fight against HIV and AIDS. Commenting on her appointment, Zinyuke said, “I am honored to be appointed as a board member representing the media on the National AIDS Council board. The media plays a critical role in the fight against HIV and AIDS, not only in raising awareness about…

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Zimbabwe Nurses Council Warns Employers of Fake Certificates of Good Standing

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) has urged global employers to verify the authenticity of Certificates of Good Standing (CGS) issued to nurses from Zimbabwe. This follows a surge in the circulation of fake documents by unscrupulous organizations. A Certificate of Good Standing is a legal document verifying a nurse’s professional reputation and good behavior within the community. It has become one of the most sought-after documents in Zimbabwe, as it significantly enhances a nurse’s chances of securing employment in the international market. Mr. Benjamin Maheya, Registrar…

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Cancer Association of Zimbabwe Warns Against Oral Sex-Linked Cancer Risks

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) has cautioned young people against engaging in risky oral sex, warning that it increases the risk of transmitting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) just like any unprotected sex activity, which causes cancer. This warning comes in the wake of research by global oncologists showing a rise in oral cancers linked to oral sex, particularly among individuals with multiple sexual partners in the United Kingdom and the United States. Since the mid-2000s, cases of oropharyngeal cancer, a specific type of oral cancer, have…

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Second Woman May Be Cured of HIV After Stem Cell Transplant

Healthtimes

By Liz Highleyman An eighth person appears to be cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant for cancer treatment, according to a case report presented at the HIV Drug Therapy meeting in Glasgow. The woman, who was treated in France, received a stem cell transplant for leukemia in July 2020 from a donor with a rare mutation that prevents the virus from entering cells. Although she stopped antiretroviral treatment a year ago, she has not yet experienced viral rebound. The risky transplant procedure is only appropriate for HIV-positive…

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