Zimbabwean health workers welcome return to normalcy as cholera outbreak ends

Health workers in Zimbabwe have welcomed a return to normalcy at facilities which had been dealing with cholera for nearly 18 months.

The southern African nation declared the end of a cholera outbreak earlier this month after going more than 30 days without recording any new cases.

Between November last year and June of this year, Kuwadzana, a high-density suburb in the capital Harare, was the epicenter of a cholera outbreak.

An average of 90 patients sought treatment at this clinic every day during that period.

"It was so challenging. At that time there were few nurses to cater for all those patients, but later on the Ministry of Health chipped in and we got more nurses from other facilities to come and help us," said Prisca Ndoro, a nurse working at the clinic.

Most of the people Ndoro treated required urgent rehydration and in some extreme cases referral to the main national treatment center. Two of her patients didn't make it.

"By the time that they reached here, it was too late," she said.

Ndoro said late detection is the biggest risk when it comes to the diarrheal disease.

She and other health workers welcome rapid test kits and hailed them for being a game changer in reducing uncertainty in patient care.

"Some of them they even come in a comatose condition. Some of them would not be able to drink or walk or speak. And with the use of rapid cholera test kits, it's so easy to diagnose the patients. So we could test before treating. So we can be so sure that this is cholera," said Ndoro.

At the peak of the outbreak, a dedicated treatment bay was set up to intercept cholera cases at the entrance of the clinic.

Though the outbreak is over, the Kuwadzana community remains vigilant.

"We are happy that there are no more cases. It's now back to normal, but we are still practicing the preventive measures. We are scared because of how badly the disease hit this area," said Sabinah Mtengiswa, a food vendor.

Zimbabwe recorded more than 700 deaths and about 34,000 cases during the outbreak, which stretched for almost a year and a half.

Zimbabwean health workers welcome return to normalcy as cholera outbreak ends

China's city of Xi'an, the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road, held a cultural exchange activity Monday evening.

It was one of the activities of the Belt and Road Forum for International Think Tank Cooperation and the Second Silk Road (Xi'an) International Communication Forum.

Around 300 former politicians, think tank experts, media organization leaders and public figures were invited to join the forum held in Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Named "Chang'an Night Gala", the event showed traditional etiquette of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when Xi'an was called Chang'an.

"We visited several places in Xi'an yesterday. What impressed me most were the Terracotta Warriors, which made me feel like traveling to the ancient times of China. I saw their appearances both before and after restoration. Through them, I sensed the strength of China," said Juliet Ebele Nwekeorji, a guest from Nigeria.

"This is my first time to Xi'an. It has been a very, very wonderful experience. I've learnt so many new things. I appreciate deeply the Chinese commitment to preserving their culture," said Petra Fiona, a guest from Antigua and Barbuda.

Xi'an, a city founded more than 3,100 years ago, served as the capital for 13 dynasties in Chinese history.

This is also the place where Chinese envoy Zhang Qian began his journey to the Western regions during the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.- A.D. 25). Zhang's pioneering expedition opened up a route that later became the ancient Silk Road.

Ancient Silk Road city holds cultural exchange event