Zimbabwe experiences the worst epidemic of cholera in Africa.
A severe outbreak of cholera has been reported in Zimbabwe since mid 2008, with so far over 92,000 cases and over 4,000 deaths. This outbreak has differed from previous outbreaks in being mainly urban and with a high case-fatality rate. Breakdown in the supply of clean water has been the main underlying cause but breakdown in health service delivery in Zimbabwe has also contributed to the magnitude and severity of the outbreak.
Mason
Peter R
PR
Biomedical Research & Training Institute and the University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe. pmason@brti.co.zw
D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014478:Unemployment; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014881:Water Supply; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology