Published Date: 2011-06-09 16:11:40
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Cholera - Zimbabwe (07): (Manicaland)
Archive Number: 20110609.223393
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A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 8 Jun 2011
Source: UN (OCHA) ReliefWeb, The Zimbabwean report [edited]
http://reliefweb.int/node/406671
Chipinge is the new epicentre of Zimbabwe's latest cholera outbreak,
according to the latest World Health Organisation epidemiological
report. It showed that the eastern Manicaland province accounted for
about 95 percent of all incidents reported since the beginning of the
year [2011]. More than 573 cholera cases had been reported in
Chipinge by the end of May [2011], nearly 63 percent of the 936
incidents recorded countrywide since January [2011].
The Zimbabwean reported in March [2011] that a cholera time bomb was
ticking at ARDA [Agriculture& Rural Development Authority] Estate in
Chipinge where the state-owned company was allegedly supplying
untreated water from the river straight to taps. More than 3000
households in Chipinge were at risk of contracting cholera,
particularly in Ward 26 at ARDA Estates where farm workers are being
provided with raw water from a nearby river.
Cholera has become a perennial disease in Zimbabwe where the water
and sanitation infrastructure has collapsed due to lack of
maintenance. It claimed more than 4200 lives in an outbreak between
September 2008 and July 2009 that also infected nearly 100 000
people. According to the WHO report, the cholera death toll has risen
to more than 40 since the beginning of the year [2011].
A total of 936 cumulative cholera cases had been reported by the 3rd
week of May [2011], a 24 percent rise in the number of cases since
the end of April [2011] when 755 cases were recorded in 10 of
Zimbabwe's 62 districts. The death toll stood at 25 at the end of
April [2011].
At least 886 or 95 percent of the current cases were reported from
the eastern Manicaland province, which is also home to the
controversial Marange fields where artisan miners are digging for
alluvial diamonds.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
<promed-eafr@promedmail.org>
[The risk factors for cholera are well known and in Western
countries, interventions like universal access to safe water and
sanitation facilities as well as good personal and food hygiene led
to the elimination of the disease. What is lacking in most of
sub-Saharan Africa and Asia where cases of cholera are still being
reported is rallying the leaders and convincing them to prioritise
such interventions for resource allocation.
The mining sector in Chipinge has been linked to cholera outbreaks in
recent years, an indication that regulation of the sector is still
inadequate. Such regulation would ensure that licensed operators are
mandated to provide a safe working environment that protects miners
from diseases like cholera.
A map showing the administrative regions of Zimbabwe can be accessed
athttp://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/zimbabwe.pdf.
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Zimbabwe can be accessed
athttp://healthmap.org/r/0Ypr. - Mod.JFW]
See Also
Cholera - Uganda: (Hoima) susp, RFI 20110607.223117Cholera - Nigeria (07): (Abia) susp. 20110602.222848
Cholera - Nigeria (06): (Abia) susp. 20110601.222697
Cholera - Somalia (02): Mogadishu 20110531.222482
Cholera - Cameroon (02): nationwide update 20110529.222455
Cholera - Mozambique: (Maputo) 20110503.221703
Cholera - Cameroon: nationwide update 20110502.221659
Cholera - Zimbabwe (06): (Manicaland) 20110502.221658
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery (02) - Somalia 20110428.221508
Cholera - Congo DR (02): (Orientale) 20110413.220970
Cholera - Zimbabwe (05): (Masvingo, Manicaland) 20110413.220969
Cholera - Nigeria (05): (Taraba) susp. 20110408.220718
Cholera - Zimbabwe (04): (Masvingo) RFI 20110407.220677
Cholera - Zimbabwe (03) 20110127.217664
Cholera - Zimbabwe (02): (Manicaland) 20110116.217208
Cholera - Zimbabwe 2011 (01): Harare 20110108.216929
[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
[Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (14): Haiti, DR 20110606.1726
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (13): Ukraine (DT) 20110603.1697
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011: (12): Haiti, DR 20110524.1579
Cholera O75 - USA: (FL) raw oysters, warning 20110511.1443
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (10): Mexico (SI) alert 20110430.1334
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (09): Africa 20110419.1219
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (08): Americas, Asia 20110419.1216
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (07): Haiti, upswing in
cases 20110413.1163
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (06): Americas, Asia 20110404.1040
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (05): Africa 20110403.1033
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (04) 20110222.0582
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (03) 20110128.0333
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (02) 20110118.0215
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 20110109.0101
2010
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Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (30) 20101231.4608
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (27) 20101109.4060
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (13): Africa 20100807.2695
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (05): Asia, Africa 20100219.0573
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (04): Africa 20100216.0550
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (02): Africa 20100208.0428
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