The World Health Organization (WHO) reports today that the latest number of
suspected cholera cases in Zimbabwe has surpassed 80,000, including 3,759
deaths. All 10 provinces of the country are affected.
High numbers of cases have also been reported in neighbouring countries,
especially South Africa. But the relative strength of the health-care
system there has enabled the case fatality rate to remain below 1 per cent.
Other countries where cholera has been reported include Malawi, Mozambique
and Zambia, but it has to be noted that cholera is endemic in these
countries, according to WHO.
The World Health Organization, together with its partners, has set up a
cholera command and control centre in the capital, Harare. The role of the
centre is to coordinate the response to the cholera outbreak and provide
technical coordination for partners in the areas of epidemiological and
laboratory surveillance, case management, social mobilization, logistics and
infection control of water and sanitation in treatment centres.
United Nations – Office of the Spokesperson of the
Secretary-General
Post published in: Analysis