Zimbabwe: Cholera Cases Climb to Almost 36,000

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reports the number of suspected cases of cholera in Zimbabwe has now reached almost 36,000. The number of people who have died from the infection approaches 1,780 people since the outbreak began over five months ago. The relief community has boosted its response capacity and coordination in order to manage the outbreak, the worst ever in the country’s history, amid a collapsing health system and worsening humanitarian situation. WHO says that since August 2008, all 10 provinces in the southern African nation have reported a cumulative total of 35,931 suspected cases and 1,778 deaths. During the past one week, relief agencies in the health cluster launched a cholera awareness campaign and announced an operational framework where cholera command centres will be established from national to household levels with rapid response teams established at every level. The World Food Programme (WFP) is also assisting by coordinating local logistical support. Preparedness measures and contingencies need to be strengthened because cholera cases are likely to be on the increase with the beginning of the rainy season.