UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

Zimbabwe: Over 80,000 Zimbabweans Infected With Cholera

23 February 2009

Johannesburg — Over 80,000 people have been infected with cholera in Zimbabwe, according to the latest figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO).

With 3,759 lives lost already, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of the outbreak - described as "one of the world's largest ever recorded" by the WHO - has also remained shockingly high.

Cumulatively, since the outbreak started in August 2008, 4.7 percent of those infected have died, the WHO's update on 19 February said. In some areas daily CFRs as high as 74 percent have been registered. The WHO has noted that the acceptable level should be below 1 percent.

Over 60 percent of deaths were being recorded at community level rather than within health facilities, the report said.

For the full update click here: WHO's daily cholera update and alerts

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]

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