Published Date: 2008-12-08 16:00:39
Subject: PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (50)
Archive Number: 20081208.3854

CHOLERA, DIARRHEA & DYSENTERY UPDATE 2008 (50)
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

In this update:
Africa
[1] Cholera - Zimbabwe
[2] Cholera - South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana (all ex Zimbabwe)

******
[1] Cholera - Zimbabwe
Date: Fri 5 Dec 2008
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),
ReliefWeb, WHO report [edited]
<http://reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/RMOI-7M4LSG?OpenDocument&rc=1&cc=zwe>


As of 5 Dec 2008, 13 960 cases of cholera had been reported in 9 of
Zimbabwe's 10 provinces (44 out of 59 districts), with 589 deaths (case
fatality rate (CFR) 4.2 per cent). Most cases were in Harare/Budiriro (7563
cases and 189 deaths; CFR 2.5 per cent), followed by Beitbridge (3245 cases
and 86 deaths; CFR 2.7 per cent), Mudzi (1234 cases and 57 deaths; CFR 4.6
per cent), and Chitungwiza (315 cases and 78 deaths; CFR 28.8 per cent.
Higher CFRs have been reported in a number of other areas.

Major causes for the current outbreak are: lack of clean drinking water and
sanitation, weak health services, and health staff strike, mainly by
nurses. Health staff are unable to obtain salaries from banks due to the
acute shortage of banknotes, making it too burdensome and expensive to
travel to work.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The number of cases of cholera in Zimbabwe continues to rise dramatically,
underscoring the need for rapid intervention. Since the last posting on 3
Dec through 5 Dec 2008 (2 days), there were 1414 more cases reported, with
24 more deaths.

A map of Zimbabwe can be found at
<http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/zimbabwe.pdf>. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Zimbabwe is available at
<http://healthmap.org/promed/en?v=-19,29.9,6>. - Mod.LL]

******
[2] Cholera - South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana (all ex Zimbabwe)
Date: Sun 7 Dec 2008
Source: The Telegraph (UK) [edited]
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/3660742/Zimbabwes-neighbours-fight-cholera-outbreak.html>


South Africa
------------
Around 500 cases and 8 deaths have been reported, most of them Zimbabweans
crossing the border to seek treatment. The South African town of Musina is
just over the frontier from Beitbridge, the 2nd worst affected area in
Zimbabwe. Army medics are being sent to reinforce a treatment centre in
Musina and environmental health officers are going to towns near the frontier.

Mozambique
----------
One of Zimbabwe's worst affected districts is Mudzi, on the country's
eastern border with Mozambique. That country's health authorities are on
"maximum alert" against the spread of cholera, said Ivo Garrido, the health
minister. Specialists have been sent to the border areas, with a newspaper
reporting 169 cases of cholera in Changara district, most of them
Zimbabweans. None has died.

Zambia
------
Zimbabwe's northern neighbor has imposed health controls at all 3 of their
shared border posts. A Zimbabwean has died at a cholera centre at the
Chirundu crossing. There is a ban on importing uncertified food and anyone
entering or leaving Zambia is screened for cholera symptoms. Mwendoi
Akakandelwa, the deputy health minister, said Zambia was on high alert but
he ruled out closing the border.

Botswana
--------
At least one Zimbabwean has been treated for cholera in Botswana. Teams
have been sent to the border town of Matsiloje, where illegal immigrants
live in crowded conditions, to investigate possible infections. The
government says it has sufficient medical supplies.

[byline: Sebastien Berger]

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[It appears, so far, that most if not all of the cholera reported in
Zimbabwe's neighbors has been acquired in Zimbabwe.

A map showing the geographical relationship between these 4 countries and
Zimbabwe can be seen at
<http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/africa.pdf>. - Mod.LL]

See Also

Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (49) 20081203.3803
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (48) 20081201.3776
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (47) 20081125.3716
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (46) 20081124.3708
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (45) 20081120.3662
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (40) 20081014.3253
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (30) 20080702.2019
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (20) 20080404.1240
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (10) 20080212.0563
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2008 (01) 20080104.0047
2007
---
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2007 (67) 20071231.4200
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2007 (60) 20071126.3824
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2007 (50) 20071023.3450
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2007 (40) 20070924.3164
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2007 (30) 20070830.2856
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2007 (20) 20070511.1509
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2007 (10) 20070302.0737
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2007 (01) 20070105.0047
2006
---
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2006 (52) 20061229.3646
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2006 (50) 20061215.3528
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2006 (40) 20061006.2862
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2006 (30) 20060724.2037
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2006 (20) 20060512.1352
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2006 (10) 20060303.0675
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2006 (01) 20060106.0040

.................ll/mj/sh


*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at
<http://www.isid.org/ProMEDMail_Premium.shtml>
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>.
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org

(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.

############################################################
############################################################