Malaria warning in Zimbabwe

Malaria could be a growing risk in Zimbabwe as health officials concentrate on the ongoing cholera epidemic, one organisation has warned.

The RollBack Malaria campaign has suggested that malaria figures in Zimbabwe could increase in 2009 as efforts to control the cholera outbreak take precedent.

According to Voice of Africa, the group said that medical efforts and resources are at risk of being diverted away from malaria to provide support for those affected by cholera.

This warning follows an update on the situation in Zimbabwe from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The figures show total cases of cholera have reached in excess of 48,000, with over 2,000 recorded deaths. This takes the fatality rate up to 5.7 per cent.

In December the WHO warned that the cholera epidemic could lead to more than 60,000 cases. The international group has provided medical supplies to treat 50,000 people and has specialists based in the capital of Harare.

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