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Surge in Zimbabwe cholera deaths Surge in Zimbabwe cholera deaths
(40 minutes later)
The United Nations says 978 people have now been killed by the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, an increase of 25% from the last figure given three days ago.The United Nations says 978 people have now been killed by the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, an increase of 25% from the last figure given three days ago.
The UN's office for humanitarian affairs says 18,413 suspected cases have been reported across the country since the outbreak began in August.The UN's office for humanitarian affairs says 18,413 suspected cases have been reported across the country since the outbreak began in August.
The disease has spread quickly as the health care and water systems have collapsed amid a long political crisis.The disease has spread quickly as the health care and water systems have collapsed amid a long political crisis.
Last week, President Robert Mugabe said the spread of cholera had been halted.Last week, President Robert Mugabe said the spread of cholera had been halted.
The UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the worst-hit area was the capital, Harare, with 208 confirmed deaths and 8,454 suspected cases.The UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the worst-hit area was the capital, Harare, with 208 confirmed deaths and 8,454 suspected cases.
The South African Red Cross has sent much-needed medical supplies to Zimbabwe, and has issued an appeal for funds to treat a total of 30,000 people.The South African Red Cross has sent much-needed medical supplies to Zimbabwe, and has issued an appeal for funds to treat a total of 30,000 people.
The UN has said it estimates up to 60,000 people may eventually be affected. The UN has warned that up to 60,000 people could become infected if the outbreak is not contained.
'Pretext to invade''Pretext to invade'
On Thursday, Mr Mugabe gave a nationally televised speech saying the outbreak had been contained.On Thursday, Mr Mugabe gave a nationally televised speech saying the outbreak had been contained.
"I am happy to say our doctors are being assisted by others, and the WHO [World Health Organization] have now arrested cholera.""I am happy to say our doctors are being assisted by others, and the WHO [World Health Organization] have now arrested cholera."
Now that there is no cholera, there is no cause for war Robert MugabeZimbabwean president Botswana denies coup claimReports on failing ZimbabweNow that there is no cholera, there is no cause for war Robert MugabeZimbabwean president Botswana denies coup claimReports on failing Zimbabwe
He has accused Western powers, including Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler Britain, of using the cholera outbreak as a pretext to invade the country and overthrow him.He has accused Western powers, including Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler Britain, of using the cholera outbreak as a pretext to invade the country and overthrow him.
"Now that there is no cholera, there is no cause for war," he said."Now that there is no cholera, there is no cause for war," he said.
Other high-ranking officials have accused Britain of deliberately spreading cholera.Other high-ranking officials have accused Britain of deliberately spreading cholera.
In a separate development, neighbouring Botswana has denied a Zimbabwean accusation that it was involved in a plot to overthrow Robert Mugabe's government.In a separate development, neighbouring Botswana has denied a Zimbabwean accusation that it was involved in a plot to overthrow Robert Mugabe's government.
Zimbabwean Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said there was "compelling evidence" that Botswana was hosting military training camps for opposition rebels.Zimbabwean Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said there was "compelling evidence" that Botswana was hosting military training camps for opposition rebels.
Economic meltdownEconomic meltdown
The UN Security Council is to hear two briefings on Zimbabwe shortly.The UN Security Council is to hear two briefings on Zimbabwe shortly.
One will be on the cholera outbreak and the other on the stalled power-sharing agreement between President Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.One will be on the cholera outbreak and the other on the stalled power-sharing agreement between President Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The rivals agreed to form a power-sharing government in September but its implementation has been dogged by disagreements over whose supporters would get key ministries.The rivals agreed to form a power-sharing government in September but its implementation has been dogged by disagreements over whose supporters would get key ministries.
The political crisis has aggravated an economic meltdown and the collapse of the country's health services, sanitation systems and water supply, allowing the cholera outbreak to spread nearly unchecked.The political crisis has aggravated an economic meltdown and the collapse of the country's health services, sanitation systems and water supply, allowing the cholera outbreak to spread nearly unchecked.
In the South African town of Beitbridge, across the border from Zimbabwe, 91 people have died from cholera while several more thousand people are suspected to be suffering from it.In the South African town of Beitbridge, across the border from Zimbabwe, 91 people have died from cholera while several more thousand people are suspected to be suffering from it.