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Zimbabwe cholera death toll soars Zimbabwe cholera death toll soars
(20 minutes later)
More than 2,700 people have now died in Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic - a 20% rise in a week, the UN's World Health Organization (WHO) says.More than 2,700 people have now died in Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic - a 20% rise in a week, the UN's World Health Organization (WHO) says.
Nearly 50,000 people have been infected with the preventable disease, WHO says.Nearly 50,000 people have been infected with the preventable disease, WHO says.
The start of the rainy season could lead to even more infections, as water sources become contaminated, aid workers have warned.The start of the rainy season could lead to even more infections, as water sources become contaminated, aid workers have warned.
President Robert Mugabe has faced increasing criticism for his country's dire economic and humanitarian plight.President Robert Mugabe has faced increasing criticism for his country's dire economic and humanitarian plight.
Mr Mugabe's allies have accused Western countries of trying to use the cholera outbreak as an excuse to topple him.Mr Mugabe's allies have accused Western countries of trying to use the cholera outbreak as an excuse to topple him.
Cholera cases have been reported in all 10 of Zimbabwe's provinces, the WHO says, and aid agency World Vision has reported new outbreaks of the preventable disease in rural areas.Cholera cases have been reported in all 10 of Zimbabwe's provinces, the WHO says, and aid agency World Vision has reported new outbreaks of the preventable disease in rural areas.
HEALTH CRISIS Cholera: 2,755 died since AugustAnthrax: Eight deaths since NovemberHIV/Aids: Estimated 400 deaths a dayMaternal mortality: Risen from 168 per 100,000 in 1990 to 1,100 in 2005 "Rapid deterioration of Zimbabwe's health system, lack of adequate water supply and lack of capacity to dispose of solid waste and repair sewer blockages have all been the main drivers of the current spread of cholera," said World Vision in a statement.HEALTH CRISIS Cholera: 2,755 died since AugustAnthrax: Eight deaths since NovemberHIV/Aids: Estimated 400 deaths a dayMaternal mortality: Risen from 168 per 100,000 in 1990 to 1,100 in 2005 "Rapid deterioration of Zimbabwe's health system, lack of adequate water supply and lack of capacity to dispose of solid waste and repair sewer blockages have all been the main drivers of the current spread of cholera," said World Vision in a statement.
"New outbreaks are cropping up in rural areas as the rainy season progresses and people move from the towns back to their rural home areas.""New outbreaks are cropping up in rural areas as the rainy season progresses and people move from the towns back to their rural home areas."
A week ago, the WHO said 2,200 people had died from cholera in Zimbabwe since August 2008.A week ago, the WHO said 2,200 people had died from cholera in Zimbabwe since August 2008.
The disease has also spread to neighbouring South Africa.The disease has also spread to neighbouring South Africa.
African pressure?African pressure?
The latest WHO figures were released as campaign group Human Rights Watch called on African leaders to put pressure on Mr Mugabe to end Zimbabwe's suffering during an African Union summit in Ethiopia next week.The latest WHO figures were released as campaign group Human Rights Watch called on African leaders to put pressure on Mr Mugabe to end Zimbabwe's suffering during an African Union summit in Ethiopia next week.
The organisation accuses Zimbabwe's government of leaving five million people dependent on food aid and most of the population without access to health care.The organisation accuses Zimbabwe's government of leaving five million people dependent on food aid and most of the population without access to health care.
Mr Mugabe signed a power-sharing deal with his rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, in September, but progress has since stalled over who should control key ministries. South Africa says it will host a regional summit next week - the latest attempt to broker a power-sharing agreement between Mr Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The pair met on Monday but failed to make any progress on implementing a deal they agreed in September. They remain divided on the key question of who should control key ministries.
The opposition leader won the first round of last year's presidential election but withdrew from a run-off in June citing state-sponsored violence.The opposition leader won the first round of last year's presidential election but withdrew from a run-off in June citing state-sponsored violence.
Mr Mugabe's supporters blame Zimbabwe's problems on Western sanctions.Mr Mugabe's supporters blame Zimbabwe's problems on Western sanctions.