Zimbabwe minister warns cholera still spreading

November 30, 2008

Zimbabwe's health minister insisted Sunday that the country's

crumbling medical system was taking all necessary measures to combat a

cholera epidemic, even as more than 1,000 new cases were reported.

Since the current outbreak began in August, health minister

Parirenyatwa, said 425 people had died and a total of 11,071 suspected

cases had been reported nationwide.

The last estimate from the United Nations on Friday had put the toll

at around 9,900 cases.

Parirenyatwa said the health services were trying to contain the

disease's alarming spread, but warned that already poor sanitation was

likely to worsen with the onset of the rainy season.

" What I am afraid of is that now that the rainy season has come, all

the faeces lying in the bushes will be washed into shallow wells and

contaminate the water, " Parirenyatwa told the government mouthpiece

Sunday Mail newspaper.

" Management of water and sanitation is primary to the cholera

problem. " He emphasised the need for clean water, a proper sewage

system and refuse collection, he added.

While cholera has long posed a sporadic problem in rural Zimbabwe, the

current epidemic is hitting the nation's cities.

THe movement of people between Zimbabwe's cities was making the

disease even harder to contain since it first broke out in the

populous neighbourhood of Budiriro in the capital, the minister said.

Cholera is a highly contagious but treatable disease that causes

severe diarrhoea and vomiting that can kill a patient.

The disease is easily prevented by washing hands, cleaning foods, and

keeping drinking water away from sewage.

But Zimbabwe's dilapidated infrastructure has made clean water a

luxury, with many people relying on shallow wells and latrines in

their yards.

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