Cholera Infection Continues to Slow in Southern Africa, UN Says

April 22, 2009

The cholera epidemic in southern Africa continues to abate, but international and local health authorities stress the need to remain vigilant, the United Nations reported.

"Overall, the duration and magnitude of the epidemic underscores the need for strengthening surveillance, preparedness and underscores plans in all countries," according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

There were a total of 4,579 new cases between 3 and 17 April in the nine countries – Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe – affected by the often fatal disease since August 2008.

© 2009 UN News Centre

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