IOM continues to work in coordination with United Nations (UN)
agencies and local authorities to urgently combat a rapidly
spreading outbreak of cholera, which has thus far claimed hundreds
of lives. With the entire country now affected by the outbreak, and
with floods anticipated with the rainy season now in swing, the
cholera crisis could deepen.

The total number of suspected cholera cases stands at 9,463 with
389 deaths. In Beitbridge, on the border with South Africa, there
are 2,917 suspected cholera cases with 76 deaths, while Harare has
seen 4,697 suspected cases and 108 deaths. There continues to be an
urgent need for drugs, intravenous fluids, Oral Rehydration Salts,
antibiotics and cholera beds.

IOM is appealing for USD 655,000 to respond to the rapid rise in
cholera cases while continuing to monitor the situation, providing
hospital referrals when necessary, and deploying and supporting
nurses at Cholera Treatment Centres (CTC). In addition, IOM is
providing drugs, medical supplies, and non-food items such as
clothing and gumboots to health staff working at the CTCs.

At the request of local authorities and the Ministry of Health,
IOM will support the establishment of a CTC at Victoria Falls and
conduct an assessment of the situation in Muzarabani in the
northern state of Mashonaland Central.

In Beitbridge, where IOM runs a reception and support centre for
returning migrants, the Organization has mobilized and trained 40
community health volunteers to help with health education and
hygiene promotion activities. It is also engaged in active case
finding, reporting and hospital referrals. In partnership with MSF
Spain, IOM is supporting 180 health workers and supplying local
health centres with drugs and other materials.

To address the urgent water needs, IOM and Action Against Hunger
are finalizing the connection of a borehole which will supply the
Beitbridge hospital with water. The CTC at the Beitbridge reception
centre has so far treated 15 suspected cholera cases, with no
deaths.

In Manicaland, IOM is supporting local authorities and the
Ministry of Health with the provision of drugs, two vehicles for
outbreak management and two IOM nurses to assist in the cholera
response. IOM continues to monitor the situation for mobile and
vulnerable populations through a network of 125 community health
volunteers that provide alerts on suspected cases.

Since February 2008, IOM has provided comprehensive responses to
reports of cholera, anthrax, scabies and diarrhoea outbreaks among
mobile and vulnerable populations in more than 10 districts.

Zimbabwe's health delivery system is facing serious challenges,
characterized by shortages of health staff, drugs and other medical
consumables.  The situation is exacerbated by the reduced
capacity to supply clean water in urban areas and deteriorating
sewer systems.

For further information please contact:

Erin Foster

IOM Harare

Tel: +263912572315

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