Although cholera fatality rates in Zimbabwe have dropped slightly
this week, the numbers of cholera cases continue to rise as the
disease spreads further into the rural heartland of the country.

Fatality rates fell to 5.2 per cent from 5.7 per cent last week
when the numbers of deaths rose sharply. It marked a low point in
efforts to contain the disease that has so far killed nearly 3,100
people and affected nearly 59,000. Until recently, it had been
estimated that 60,000 cases would be the upper limit for a cholera
epidemic by those working on the ground.

Estimates are now being revised as the disease spreads deeper
into rural Zimbabwe due both to the movement of people and to the
lack of proper water and sanitation. This development is of growing
concern as the disease is more difficult to contain in rural areas.
Distances, the lack of transport and general poor health make it
harder for people to access help at cholera treatment centres where
fatality rates are lower. Two thirds of all cholera deaths have
been among people unable to access the treatment centres and
adequate community health support.

Insufficient numbers of trained health personnel at the cholera
treatment centres, poor access to safe drinking water and latrines
at the centres as well as at border posts and in the community at
large, are also factors contributing to increases both in the
number of new cases and in the number of deaths.

IOM, which has been focusing its anti-cholera efforts on the
provinces of Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North as
well as border areas, is now expanding its operations to address
the latest developments.

It has between two to five teams in the field each week carrying
out systematic assessments in the three provinces and border areas
identifying new cholera outbreaks. IOM teams are also monitoring
outbreaks where the Organization is actively providing assistance
to people and communities. Results of its assessments, which are
also shared with partners, are used to organize new
interventions.

With funding from the Swedish development agency (Sida), its
Australian equivalent, AusAid and in-kind support from NGO
AmeriCares, the Organization has assisted more than 45 cholera
treatment centres in 18 districts through the provision of
transport, fuel assistance and other support for health personnel
as well as non-food items, tents, water purification tablets and
medical supplies including 13,300 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 10,800 litres of water have
been distributed to returned Zimbabwean migrants.

For further information please contact:

Erin Foster

IOM Zimbabwe

Tel.  +263912572315

E-mail: "mailto:efoster@iom.int">efoster@iom.int