This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7860070.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Zimbabwe cholera cases top 60,000 Zimbabwe cholera cases top 60,000
(about 2 hours later)
More than 60,000 people in Zimbabwe have now been infected by cholera, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.More than 60,000 people in Zimbabwe have now been infected by cholera, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.
This figure had been described by the UN's health agency as being the "worst case scenario" in the epidemic which broke out in August. This figure had been described by the UN's health agency and other agencies as being the "worst case scenario" in the epidemic which broke out in August.
Cholera has now claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people in Zimbabwe.Cholera has now claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people in Zimbabwe.
The epidemic of the disease, which broke out in August 2008, has been fuelled by the collapse of Zimbabwe's water, sanitation and health systems.The epidemic of the disease, which broke out in August 2008, has been fuelled by the collapse of Zimbabwe's water, sanitation and health systems.
We are dealing with an extraordinary public health crisis Dr Eric LarocheWorld Health Organization
Many hospitals have shut down and most towns suffer from poor water supply, broken sewers and uncollected waste.Many hospitals have shut down and most towns suffer from poor water supply, broken sewers and uncollected waste.
In latest figures released by the WHO in Geneva, some 60,401 people now had cholera in Zimbabwe. The death toll stands at 3,161. Aid workers fear the rainy season could lead to even more infections as water sources become contaminated.
The UN agency has estimated that about half of Zimbabwe's 12 million population are at risk from the disease. 'Action needed'
WHO spokeswoman, Fadela Chaib, told AFP news agency earlier this week: "The situation of cholera is not under control, it's even out of control, and it will remain so for the near future." Health experts estimated late last year that 60,000 cases of cholera in Zimbabwe would be a worst-case scenario.
But, in latest figures released by the WHO in Geneva, some 60,401 Zimbabweans now have the disease. The death toll stands at 3,161.
STATE OF ZIMBABWE Five million people - almost half population - need food aidCentral bank introduced Z$100tr note, worth about US$30 (£20)Unemployment more than 80%Nearly 3,000 people dead in cholera outbreakMany teachers, doctors and nurses not working Teacher: 'I can't afford to work'
The UN agency said the outbreak "showed no signs of abating" and called for urgent action from the international community to help tackle the situation.
"We are dealing with an extraordinary public health crisis that requires from us all an extraordinary public health emergency response, and this must happen now before the outbreak causes more needless suffering and death," the WHO's Dr Eric Laroche said.
The epidemic has been exacerbated by the political and economic problems facing Zimbabwe.
Many medical staff have been refusing to work unless they get paid in hard currency, because the value of the Zimbabwean dollar is virtually worthless.
The charity Medecins Sans Frontieres told the BBC last week that the disease was spreading to remote areas, making its containment much harder.
President Robert Mugabe has faced increasing criticism over his country's dire economic and humanitarian plight.
But his allies have accused Western countries of trying to use the cholera outbreak as an excuse to topple him.