World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Africa Dr Luis Gomes Sambo is in Zimbabwe on a routine visit and will assess the cholera outbreak that had by Thursday claimed 1,111 lives and left 20,581 infected, the daily newspaper The Herald said on Friday.

Dr Sambo arrived in Harare on Wednesday. An official from WHO Zimbabwe offices confirmed the arrival of Dr Sambo, but could not provide further details of his itinerary.

The WHO regional website, however, said Dr Sambo's visit is linked to the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe and its regional implications following reports that South Africa and Botswana have reported outbreaks.

Early this month, South African health authorities said the country had recorded more than 400 cholera cases and nine deaths related to the epidemic in areas bordering Zimbabwe while Botswana had so far confirmed three cases, all Zimbabweans.

Three cases have also been reported at Chirundu Border Post close to Zambia.

Dr Sambo's visit came at a time when WHO has partnered the government in the fight against cholera by sending epidemiologists, a water and sanitation expert and a logistician from its Geneva headquarters. WHO has also sent medical supplies to treat 50,000 people for common conditions for three months as well as 3 200 moderate cases of cholera.

The UN agency is currently working with the Zimbabwean government and other partners to establish a Cholera Control and Command Center to facilitate a co-ordinated response to the epidemic.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2008)