Geneva/Harare dpa) - Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic has continued its
rapid spread, with the death toll at 2,225 as of Friday, the United
Nations said in Geneva.
According to the agency, 42,675 people have been infected with the
waterborne disease. On Wednesday, the toll stood at 2,106 dead and
40,448 infected.
The epidemic was being fuelled by a lack of clean drinking water
and chronic shortages of food and other essentials in the country,
which is facing its worst-ever economic and humanitarian crisis.
Some experts have blamed the government for the cholera epidemic,
specifically due to its failure to import adequate water purification
chemicals. In December, President Robert Mugabe declared the disease
a national emergency. International governments and aid agencies have
been assisting since.
Experts have also warned that the situation could deteriorate with
the advent of the rainy season and possible flooding that has been
forecast for some parts of Zimbabwe.
Copyright 2009 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH