The 2008 Cholera Epidemic in Zimbabwe: Experience of the icddr,b Team in the Field.
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Date
2011-10
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Abstract
During August 2008–June 2009, an estimated 95,531 suspected cases of cholera and 4,282 deaths due
to cholera were reported during the 2008 cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. Despite the efforts by local and
international organizations supported by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in the
establishment of cholera treatment centres throughout the country, the case-fatality rate (CFR) was much
higher than expected. Over two-thirds of the deaths occurred in areas without access to treatment facilities,
with the highest CFRs (>5%) reported from Masvingo, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland
East, Midland, and Matabeleland North provinces. Some factors attributing to this high CFR included inappropriate
cholera case management with inadequate use of oral rehydration therapy, inappropriate use of
antibiotics, and a shortage of experienced healthcare professionals. The breakdown of both potable water
and sanitation systems and the widespread contamination of available drinking-water sources were also
considered responsible for the rapid and widespread distribution of the epidemic throughout the country.
Training of healthcare professionals on appropriate cholera case management and implementation of recommended
strategies to reduce the environmental contamination of drinking-water sources could have
contributed to the progressive reduction in number of cases and deaths as observed at the end of February
2009.
Description
Keywords
Cholera, Disease outbreaks, Drug therapy, Mortality, Oral rehydration therapy, Zimbabwe
Citation
Ahmed Sirajuddin, Bardhan Pradip Kumar, Iqbal Anwarul, Mazumder Ramendra Nath, Khan Azharul Islam, Islam Md. Sirajul, Siddique Abul Kasem, Cravioto Alejandro. The 2008 Cholera Epidemic in Zimbabwe: Experience of the icddr,b Team in the Field. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. 2011 Oct; 29(5): 541-546.