Warden Message

Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe

December 11, 2008

U.S. Embassy Harare distributed the following warden message on November 26, 2008.  
This warden message is being issued to advise American citizens of a growing cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe.  Cholera is a potentially fatal bacterial infection of the intestine that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration.  The disease is spread through untreated sewage and contaminated drinking water.  Travelers to Zimbabwe are advised to drink boiled or bottled water and also use boiled or bottled water in food preparation.

Cholera outbreaks continue in two Harare-area locations while a new upsurge with potentially widespread consequences is occurring in Beitbridge, the border post with South Africa.  On November 25, 2008 the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (http://ochaonline.un.org) reported cholera outbreaks in all provinces of Zimbabwe, with a total of 8,887 cases and 366 deaths across Zimbabwe as of November 25.  The humanitarian community is responding with water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives in outbreak areas, but a collapsing healthcare system has led to uncommonly high case-fatality rates.

For additional information on cholera American citizens may refer to the CDC's
website at http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/cholera_gi.html. 
American citizens should also stay attuned to the local media for updates on cholera cases in Zimbabwe.  American citizens experiencing symptoms associated with cholera, such as severe diarrhea, should seek immediate medical attention.

We also strongly recommend that American citizens register their presence in
Zimbabwe via the internet at https://travelregistration.state.gov or in person at the U.S. Embassy in Harare, located at 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue (Tel. 263-4-250-593/4/5, e-mail consularharare@state.gov).  In the event of an after-hours emergency, please call the above number and ask to be transferred to the duty officer.

We will continue to provide information to you via e-mail, text message, the internet and Voice of America radio broadcasts (909 on the AM dial or on Shortwave at 4930, 13755 or 15775 Khz) as events unfold. You are always welcome to contact us at the phone, fax and e-mail numbers listed above.

As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  In addition to information on the internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  To obtain Centers For
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel notices, you may dial the CDC at
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) from within the U.S., and at 1-404-639-3534
from overseas, or visit their website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.