8 January 2009
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) says the number of suspected cases of cholera in Zimbabwe has now reached almost 36,000 while nearly 1,780 people have died from the infection since the outbreak began over five months ago.
The relief community has boosted its response capacity and coordination in order to manage the outbreak, the worst ever in the country's history, amid a collapsing health system and worsening humanitarian situation.
WHO says that since August 2008, all 10 provinces in the southern African nation have reported a cumulative total of 35,931 suspected cases and 1,778 deaths.
During the past one week, relief agencies in the health cluster launched a cholera awareness campaign and announced an operational framework where cholera command centres will be established from national to household levels with rapid response teams established at every level.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is also assisting by coordinating local logistical support.
The UN stresses that preparedness measures and contingencies need to be strengthened because cholera cases are likely to be on the increase with the beginning of the rainy season.
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Hey folks...Zimbabwe is a corpse. The body count keeps going up. And no one in ZANUpf and the Mugabe circle give a damn. The entire country is going into the toilet because one old, senile crazy old man is the voice of Zimbabwe. Gawd.....how can people be so lame. In another year, the problem will be moot....everyone will be dead, except Grace and the Old Fool.
I am still asking the question if any leader from the african continent has taken the time to visit the cholera patients and assess what is happening on the ground
This is completely unacceptable that Mugabe pretends that things are okay in Zimbabwe. 36,000 people with suspected cholera means we are going to continue seeing more deaths. This is one of the many reasons Mugabe must go! The debate on the west's intentions toward Zimbabwe are misguided and avoids the real debate about Mugabe's misrule of Zimbabwe. It is time for change in leadership and direction in Zimbabwe.