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Zimbabwe cholera outbreak widens Zimbabwe cholera outbreak widens
(31 minutes later)
The cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe continues to spread and has now claimed 1,111 lives among 20,581 cases since August, says the UN.The cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe continues to spread and has now claimed 1,111 lives among 20,581 cases since August, says the UN.
The figures included a new outbreak west of the capital in Chegutu, Mashonaland West, where more than 378 cases and 121 deaths are recorded. The figures included a new outbreak west of the capital Harare, in Chegutu, Mashonaland West, where more than 378 cases and 121 deaths are recorded.
Figures are up from nearly 1,000 deaths and 18,000 cases earlier this week.Figures are up from nearly 1,000 deaths and 18,000 cases earlier this week.
Aid agency Oxfam has launched a £4m ($6.2m) appeal to tackle the cholera and acute food shortage in Zimbabwe.
The disease has spread because of the collapse of health services and water sanitation in Zimbabwe.The disease has spread because of the collapse of health services and water sanitation in Zimbabwe.
'Devastating'
"The devastating cholera epidemic continues to spread, with a new outbreak in Chegutu Urban," said a statement from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha)."The devastating cholera epidemic continues to spread, with a new outbreak in Chegutu Urban," said a statement from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha).
Aid agencies have warned that cases are likely to surge with heavy rains. Harare remains badly hit by the epidemic with almost three-quarters of the cases in the capital sprouting in the last two weeks, underlining the "intense" cholera transmission rate in the city, added Ocha.
The UN World Health Organization has said the total number of cases could reach 60,000 unless the epidemic is stopped.The UN World Health Organization has said the total number of cases could reach 60,000 unless the epidemic is stopped.
Harare remains badly hit by the epidemic with almost three-quarters of the cases in the capital sprouting in the last two weeks underlining the "intense" cholera transmission rate in the city, added Ocha. The Zimbabwe situation is bad and the worrying thing is that it could get a lot worse Oxfam class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7787819.stm">Cholera lays bare nation's fall class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7786491.stm">In pictures: In a time of cholera class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7771184.stm">'Stench of death'
A week ago Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said there was no cholera in the country. A week ago Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said the cholera outbreak had been "arrested". He claimed Western powers wanted to use an epidemic as an excuse to invade Zimbabwe and topple him.
South Africa has declared most of its northern border with Zimbabwe a disaster area as the disease spreads over with refugees.South Africa has declared most of its northern border with Zimbabwe a disaster area as the disease spreads over with refugees.
Zimbabwe's crisis has not been helped by the political deadlock between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) over power-sharing negotiations. Oxfam spokesman Jon Slater warned the situation in Zimbabwe "could get a lot worse".
"The food shortages now will only get worse as the crops are not grown in this planting season and that will leave many more people hungry in early next year," he said.
"That puts people in increased risk of cholera because people who are hungry are more likely to catch the disease because their body is weaker and because they are forced to scavenge for food and have to collect it from dirty places."
Zimbabwe is also paralysed by political deadlock between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) over power-sharing negotiations.
After disputed presidential elections in March and June, both sides agreed to form a unity government.After disputed presidential elections in March and June, both sides agreed to form a unity government.
But implementation of that agreement, reached in September, has been deadlocked over whose supporters would get key ministries. But implementation of that deal, reached in September, has floundered over whose supporters would get key ministries.
There have been growing demands internationally and in the region for Mr Mugabe to step down but South Africa has resisted joining calls for the 84-year-old to quit.
South African ruling ANC leader Jacob Zuma said in a radio interview there was no reason for sending troops to Zimbabwe.
He told South Africa's 702 Talk Radio: "Why military intervention when there is no war? We should be pressurising them to see the light."
Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by cholera? What should the UN do to help Zimbabweans? Please send your comment using the form below:Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by cholera? What should the UN do to help Zimbabweans? Please send your comment using the form below:
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