Cholera in southern Africa could be linked to Zimbabwe, says UN health agency

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said today it believes the outbreak of cholera in South Africa – and possibly those in Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia – is linked to Zimbabwe, where the disease has already claimed over 3,500 lives and is still not under control.

Countries bordering Zimbabwe have all reported cholera cases, WHO’s Fadela Chaib told a news conference in Geneva, noting that South Africa has reported some 4,800 cases and 34 deaths between 15 November 2008 and 20 January 2009.

Mozambique is experiencing an outbreak in 10 out of its 11 provinces, with a total of some 3,600 cases and 25 deaths reported.

Three of Angola’s provinces are affected with 273 cases and one death reported so far, while some 3,000 cases and 43 deaths have been reported in Zambia between 10 September 2008 and 27 January 2009.

But it is hard to say whether all cases are linked to the Zimbabwe outbreak, as Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi and parts of South Africa are endemic for the water-borne disease, Ms. Chaib noted. Botswana, which is not endemic for cholera, has eight cases.

Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, some 73,000 cholera cases have been reported since the outbreak began last August, and the death toll now stands at 3,524.

These figures show that the country’s worst-ever cholera outbreak “is still not under control,” said Ms. Chaib.

She added that efforts are continuing to help tackle the crisis, including the opening of more treatment centres across the country. There are currently some 360 treatment centres.

At the same time, she noted that the lack of food and transportation and the fact that health workers are underpaid are posing challenges for the humanitarian community. In addition, possible flooding linked to the current rainy season can make areas difficult to access.

A humanitarian mission, led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), will visit the southern African nation from 21 to 25 February. The team will also include the participation of WHO, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP).