Zimbabwe / New Cholera Cases and Deaths Declining, but Epidemic Still Not Under Control
HARARE, Zimbabwe, February 27, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Press Briefing Notes
Although cholera fatality rates and new cases are on the decline, the epidemic is still not under control.
As of 26 February, 84,027 suspected cases, including 3,894 deaths had been reported by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, with a slight drop in the fatality rates to 4.6%.
Insufficient numbers of experienced health personnel at Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs), poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities at the CTCs, as well as at border posts and in the community at large, and poor communication with rural CTCs, continue to be the main challenges reported by IOM field staff.
Distances, the lack of transport and general poor health make it harder for people to access help at CTCs where fatality rates are lower.
This situation is further complicated by the onslaught of the rainy season, which is leading to an increase in the number of recorded malaria cases.
In the north-eastern Chidodo district, IOM staff found that 80% of all patients to suffer from malaria. In response, IOM has increased its distribution of mosquito nets distribution in areas of high malaria prevalence.
IOM, which had been focusing its anti-cholera efforts on the provinces of Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North as well as border areas, is now present in all of 10 provinces.
The Organization’s two to five person field teams each week carry out systematic assessments identifying new cases and needs. Results of its assessments, which are also shared with partners, are used to organize new interventions.
In the border town of Mutare, the numbers of reported cases remain high; 94% of deaths have occurred in the community, likely due to poor access to health facilities. The overall fatality rate remains high at 8.5%. Water and sanitation facilities in the area’s schools are poor to non-existent, raising serious concerns regarding threats for transmission.
In Zvimba, located in Mashonaland West, new cases continue to increase, although deaths are down compared to the previous week.
With funding from the Swedish development agency (Sida), its Australian equivalent, AusAid and in-kind support from NGO AmeriCares, the Organization has assisted 66 CTCs in 21 districts through the provision of training to 360 health personnel, transport, fuel and other support for health personnel, as well as non-food items, tents, 252,080 acqua tabs and medical supplies including 53,750 oral rehydration salt sachets.
In addition, IOM is providing health, hygiene and cholera prevention education materials for affected communities and through a water and sanitation expert seconded from the Swiss government, is training communities on safe water and sanitation techniques that would prevent cholera.
Through a partnership with Tetrapak, IOM is also distributing water labeled with cholera prevention messages since the New Year to Zimbabwean returnees at the Beitbridge and Plumtree reception and support centres. So far, nearly 23,500 litres of water have been distributed to returned Zimbabwean migrants.
IOM is an active member of the UN Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Clusters that are coordinated by WHO and UNICEF, respectively. IOM has been designated as the lead agency for cholera response in border areas, Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North and is working closely with NGO partners in the field.
SOURCE : International Office of Migration (IOM)
