Zimbabwe - Cholera Outbreak Factsheet #11
On February 27, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the cholera outbreak remained uncontrolled. However, from February 22 to 28, WHO recorded a significant decline in the weekly rates of reported cholera deaths and new cases compared to the previous week. WHO noted that the figures confirmed the recent trend of a declining number of new cases reported nationwide, despite increased weekly caseloads in Mashonaland East and Midlands provinces. ' On March 3, the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB), presented preliminary findings from an assessment trip to Zimbabwe in January. Following investigations at 16 sites in rural locations and the cities of Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare, the ICDDRB identified 30 different cholera strains nationwide, underscoring the complexity and large scope of the outbreak. In addition, the ICDDRB team observed elevated amounts of cholera coliform in every water source tested in Harare's heavily-affected suburb Budiriro, suggesting widespread water contamination.