HARARE Zimbabwe's cholera fatality rate of 1.8 percent is still higher than the recommended international threshold although overall infections of the deadly water borne disease are declining, according to a report by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The epidemiological report released last Wednesday said 10 out of the countrys 62 districts have been affected by the cholera outbreak that started on September 7 2009, compared to 51 districts at the same period last year.
According to the report, 49 cumulative cholera cases and five deaths were reported by January 24 2010 to the WHO through the Health Ministrys National Health Information Unit. “The crude case fatality rate since the outbreak started stands at 3.4 percent. By week three last year, 43 672 cumulative cases and 2 290 deaths had been reported, with a crude case fatality rate of 5.2 percent.
“For the same reporting period the cases reported this year are 0.3 percent of last years cases, whilst the deaths are 0.2 percent of last years deaths. “This years case fatality rate is lower than last years by 1.8 percent although it is still higher than the recommended 1 percent threshold.” The epidemiological bulletin compiled by the Health Ministry and the WHO provides a weekly overview of the outbreaks and other important public health events occurring in Zimbabwe.