A.SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
The first cases of cholera in this outbreak were recorded on 12 February 2023 in Chegutu town, Mashonaland West Province. Since then, the country has been registering increase in Cholera cases with its highest peak registered in 14TH of January 2024 with over 350 cases recorded. As of mid-May 2024, the country started experiencing reduced number of cases to single digit at the reporting period. To date suspected and confirmed cases have been reported in all 10 provinces of the country. The outbreak spread beyond the 17 previous cholera hotspot districts due to (1) poor hygiene practices, (2) unsupervised gatherings such church and funerals, (3) high usage of unsafe/unprotected sources of water for drinking and domestic use, (4) low national sanitation coverage with 40 per cent open defecation, and (5) low safe-water coverage, which is just 35 per cent. The outbreak caused panic in the whole Zimbabwean population as economic and social activities were slowed down saw the Harare city which declaring a state of emergency due to the high surge of cases. The situation overstretched health system due to high number of hospitalised cases draining most of the drugs and supplies and constraining the already overburdened hospital personnel. Grief and trauma caused by running stomach and death affected the sick, their guardians as well as staff and volunteers supporting the response. Currently the outbreak is under control given the number of cases being registered in recent day. The figure below provides a summary of the Cholera situation as of 10th May, 2024.
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