Cholera Death Toll In Zimbabwe Rises Above 1,600 - UN/WHO

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Zimbabwe - The death toll from the worst cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe's history continues to rise and now stands at 1,608, the United Nations said on Tuesday. The number of cases of the acute intestinal infection caused by contaminated food or water has risen to 30,365 as of 29 December.

UN agencies are continuing their efforts to help the country to tackle the epidemic, which affects all provinces of the southern African country and comes amid a collapsing health system and worsening humanitarian situation.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has in recent days set up a response team comprised of an environmental health officer, epidemiologists and data managers. The agency has also presented the terms of reference for the Cholera Command and Control Centre it set up to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.

The terms of reference propose that the support team be co-chaired by the Ministry and WHO. Its main tasks are surveillance, case management, water and sanitation, infection control, social mobilization and logistics.

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http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/08/08123112151001