Zim cholera cases drop

HARARE – Cholera cases in Zimbabwe have been declining since February from more than 8 000 cases a week to 2 076 cases per week this month, according to the World Health Organisation.

WHO says there has also been a slump in the weekly case fatality rate from 6 per cent recorded in January to 2, 3 per cent by mid-March.In a statement published on the WHO website on Monday, the body said the cholera situation was improving but observed that more efforts were required to contain the disease.’In the week ending 14 March 2009, 2 076 cases were reported. While this number is still high, it compares to 3 812 cases in the immediately preceding week and over 8 000 cases per week at the beginning of February,’ it said.’The weekly case fatality rate has also decreased from its peak of nearly 6 per cent in January and, while still too high, stood at 2,3 per cent for the week ending 14 March.’The fall in cholera cases in the country follows concerted efforts by government, with the assistance of friendly nations, UN agencies and other donors to arrest the outbreak.Government declared the cholera outbreak a national emergency in December last year and made appeals to the donor community for assistance to fight the epidemic.WHO also observed a decrease in the death rate at various cholera treatment centres.Data collection and verification however remained a challenge throughout the country but WHO reiterated that the overall trend over the last two months was a decrease in the number of cases and deaths.As of March 17, WHO said 91 164 cases with 4 037 deaths had been reported since the beginning of the outbreak in August last year.’Cases have decreased in all provinces. On the other hand, cases reported are increasing again in and around the capital, Harare.-Nampa-New Ziana