UNICEF partners Zim govt to vaccinate over 2 million people from cholera

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered the Zimbabwe government in providing Oral Cholera vaccination to a targeted 2.2 million people in 29 high risk districts in the country.

In a press release, UNICEF said since the outbreak of the disease, together with its partners, they have assisted more than 190 000 people to access safe drinking water, including 87 000 children.

It said it has also managed to provide supplies to more than 50 cholera treatment centres.

“UNICEF and partners have reached 4.4 million people with cholera messages on infection prevention and control and access to services, including an on-going cholera-prevention back to school campaign,” it said.

According to UNICEF, more than 18 000 cholera cases have been reported across all the 10 provinces, from which 71 deaths were confirmed deaths and more than 300 suspected, with Harare and Manicaland provinces being the most affected.

Also according to UNICEF, one in six new cholera infections in Zimbabwe are affecting children under the age of five.

The cholera epidemic that affected multiple countries in Eastern and Southern Africa in 2023 is persisting and continues to impact the region, placing additional strain on communities and healthcare facilities, UNICEF said.

“Since 2023, 13 countries in the region have battled one of the worst cholera outbreaks to hit the region in years and as of 15 January 2024, more than 200 000 cases, including over 3 000 deaths, have been reported,” said UNICEF.

New Ziana