Published Date: 2011-01-08 15:12:22
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Cholera - Zimbabwe 2011 (01): Harare
Archive Number: 20110108.216929

CHOLERA - ZIMBABWE 2011(01):HARARE
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

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[1]
Date: Mon 3 Jan 2011
Source: Monsters and Critics.com [edited]
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/health/news/article_1609067.php/Cholera-outbreak-confirmed-in-Harare-suburb


Cholera outbreak confirmed in Harare suburb
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Authorities in Zimbabwe on Monday [3 Jan 2011] confirmed an outbreak of cholera in Mbare, one of Harare's oldest suburbs, with at least 20 households having reportedly been affected.

The report comes amid fears that the disease may be spreading again across the poverty-stricken country.

Portia Munangazira, a doctor and director in Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health, told the German Press Agency dpa Monday [3 Jan 2011] that Harare was still struggling to eradicate the pandemic, which claimed over 4000 lives and affected thousands more nationwide in 2008.

"We learnt a lot from the experience of 2008/2009, but we can't stop it (cholera). We still have determinants of cholera," she said.

She noted ongoing problems with water quality and lack of proper waste disposal. A particular problem is sewage flowing into wells for drinking water. Munangazira said it is certain that the sewage is carrying cholera.

"We are worried that there is an outbreak both in urban and rural areas," she said.

Residents in Mbare have told dpa that problems with the sewer system have resulted in raw sewage contaminating drinking water.

Last year [2010] Zimbabwe recorded 14 deaths due to cholera.

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Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR


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[2]
Date: Fri 7 Jan 2011
Source: The Zimbabwe Guardian [edited]
http://www.talkzimbabwe.com/harare-city-dismisses-cholera-reports-cms-1031


Harare City dismisses cholera reports
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Harare City Health Services Department has dismissed some media reports that cases of cholera have been detected in Harare's Mbare suburbs. The Department has described reports in a local daily that cases of cholera have been detected in Mbare as false and malicious.

City Health Services Department Director, Dr. Stan Mungofa, said no cholera cases have been reported in Mbare, adding that even cases of diarrhea have in fact been on the decline.

"Cholera is characterized by watery diarrhea and if you look at the data provided it is clear that diarrhea cases are on the decrease. We do not know where this is coming from ... the city is on high alert, though, as we are in the rainy season," Dr Mungofa said.

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Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR


[Reports of a new cholera outbreak in Mbare, a city suburb in Harare have been denied by the authorities. It is however critical that a high level of vigilance and preparedness is maintained during the current rain season since waste disposal and access to safe water have remained inadequate for most of the city dwellers.

A map showing the administrative regions of Zimbabwe can be accessed at
http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/zimbabwe.pdf. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Zimbabwe can be accessed at
http://healthmap.org/r/017p. - Mod.JFW]

See Also

2010
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Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (53): Africa 20101115.215181
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (52): Africa 20101107.214912
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (51): Africa 20101028.214604
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (50): Africa 20101023.214414
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (49): Africa 20101012.214009
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (48): Africa 20101001.213704
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (47): Africa 20100927.213587
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (46): Africa, RFI 20100919.213317
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (45): Africa 20100917.213255
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (44): Africa 20100915.213185
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (43): Africa 20100908.212947

Additional background information on cholera is available from the general ProMED-mail list. The postings below can be found at
http://www.promedmail.org. - Mod.JFW

2010
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Cholera - Haiti (32): Haiti, Dominican Rep. 20101231.4611
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (30) 20101231.4608
Cholera - Haiti (31): Haiti, Dominican Rep. 20101229.4589
Cholera - Haiti (30): Haiti, Dominican Rep. PAHO 20101224.4538
Cholera - Haiti (29): update& Dominican Rep. 20101220.4484
Cholera - Haiti (28): update& Dominican Rep. 20101214.4441
Cholera - Haiti (27): update 20101207.4374
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