Zim cholera deaths rise to 565
2008-12-03 14:10
Geneva - The death toll from cholera in Zimbabwe rose to 565 on Wednesday, with 12 546 cases of the acute intestinal disease reported nationwide, the United Nations said.
The capital Harare is the worst-affected area with 177 deaths and 6 448 suspected cases - more than half the total number of cases nationwide, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement.
Cholera is the latest challenge to hit the poverty-wracked southern African nation that is already struggling with political instability and rampant hyperinflation.
The UN Children's Fund (Unicef) announced emergency measures on Tuesday to increase health services, provide nutritional supplements and widen access to safe water in Zimbabwe.
Its effort will include buying essential medicines for 70% of the Zimbabwe's population of 11 million, immunisation for 1.5 million children and emergency support and protection for 250 000 orphans and vulnerable children.
"Schools and hospitals are closing, while teachers, nurses and doctors are not reporting for duty," said Roeland Monasch, Unicef's acting country representative from Zimbabwe.
"It is our top priority to ensure that Zimbabwe children get vital life saving interventions at this critical time."
Cholera is caused by food or water tainted with vibrio cholera bacteria, the World Health Organisation says. With a short incubation period, it brings on diarrhoea that can fast lead to severe dehydration and death.
- AFP