Zimbabwe has since the beginning of the year recorded a sharp rise in cases of pellagra, a serious condition that is caused by low levels of niacin, due to either malnutrition or an absorption problem.
The United Nations for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs attributes the spike to malnutrition which results from drought and a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis in the country.
In its latest situation report, the UN agency predicted that pellagra cases will keep rising as hunger deepens. Reads the report in part:
The number of reported pellagra cases has continued to increase in Zimbabwe, with 831 cases recorded from January to May 2020, doubling from 400 cases over the same period last year.
Pellagra cases are likely to increase as food insecurity in the country deepens and household income for accessing diversified diets continues to be depleted by the economic crisis.
Statistics provided by Bulawayo City Council’s health department on Wednesday indicate that Bulawayo recorded 10 pellagra cases in June up from eight in May.
The government and its stakeholders, including the Word Foo Programme (WFP), concur that about half of the national population is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
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