Cholera will almost certainly hit Zimbabwe again, after 4,200 people died over the last year, the United Nations warned Wednesday, saying less than half the humanitarian aid needed has been raised.
The United Nations in June asked donors for 718 million dollars to fight the disease and stave off hunger, but officials told reporters that less than half that amount has been given.
About Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine and is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine and is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
The UN Children's Fund said Wednesday that the nation's crumbling infrastructure made another outbreak almost inevitable, especially when the rainy season begins in November.
"Another cholera outbreak in the country is almost inevitable. We must work together with the government to prevent another outbreak which we see coming," said Peter Salama, the UNICEF chief in Zimbabwe.
Immunization in Children - Cholera Vaccine
Killed whole cell vaccine with or without sub unit has given promising results in adults, but it is not sufficiently effective in young children.
Killed whole cell vaccine with or without sub unit has given promising results in adults, but it is not sufficiently effective in young children.
A cholera epidemic erupted last August as post-election violence swept Zimbabwe, with worsening public infrastructure and hospital closures adding to chronically overburdened sewer systems and water shortages.
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'Cholera Epidemic Has Successfully Been Contained And Has Ended,' Says Zimbabwe' Health Minister
A cholera epidemic had ended, after at least 4,200 people died and 100,000 were infected since last August, but warned new outbreaks remain a threat, said Zimbabwe's health minister.
A cholera epidemic had ended, after at least 4,200 people died and 100,000 were infected since last August, but warned new outbreaks remain a threat, said Zimbabwe's health minister.
Zimbabwe's power-sharing government, formed in February, is trying to raise more than eight billion dollars over three years to revive public services, including repairs to sewage lines that leak through populous neighbourhoods.
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Seoul-based Institute Develops Low-cost Cholera Vaccine
An international health organisation has announced it has developed the world's first cheap cholera vaccine which has been licensed in India, paving the way for its global use.
An international health organisation has announced it has developed the world's first cheap cholera vaccine which has been licensed in India, paving the way for its global use.
Western donors are still reluctant to offer direct support to the government, offering humanitarian aid instead while demanding that President Robert Mugabe undertake greater reforms to respect human rights and curb political attacks.
But humanitarian aid is lagging behind the needs, according to the UN humanitarian coordinator in Zimbabwe, Augustino Zacarias.
"Although Zimbabwe is not facing armed conflict, humanitarian threats such as food shortages and the outbreak of diseases such as cholera pose a significant challenge," he said.
"Sadly, only 44 percent of Zimbabwe's appeal of 718 million had been raised by the end of July."
Six million people have little or no access to safe water and sanitation, the main driver of the cholera outbreak, the United Nations says.
An estimated 2.8 million Zimbabweans need food aid, while 1.5 million children require support to access education. The nation's problems are worsened by the high incidence of HIV, which infects 15.6 percent of adults.
Zimbabwe has suffered chronic food shortages since Mugabe began chaotic land reforms nine years ago, but the crisis worsened dramatically as cholera swept the nation.
Source-AFP
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