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 per
cent.

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
per cent of all patients 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 per cent of deaths have occurred in the community,
likely due to poor access to health facilities.  The overall
fatality rate remains high at 8.5 per cent.  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 aqua 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 the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (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.

For further information please contact:

Erin Foster

IOM Zimbabwe

Tel: +263912572315

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

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