06 January 2009 - 11H50
Epidemic death toll tops 1,700
Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic is picking up speed, with a total of 1,732 deaths so far out of 34,306 cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. The United Nations has warned the number of cases could top 60,000.
AFP - At least 1,732 people have died in Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic and the number of cases diagnosed has risen to 34,306, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday.
The organisation last Thursday reported 1,586 dead and 31,656 suspected cases of the water-borne disease.
United Nations aid agencies have been warning for weeks that the number of cases could top 60,000, with the impending rainy season likely to facilitate the spread of the disease.
All 10 of the country's provinces have been hit, according to UN statistics, which remain incomplete because of a lack of local medical personnel and communications problems.
Zimbabweans are also struggling against hyper-inflation, severe food shortages and chronic political instability.
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