United Nations Radio

The cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe has now spread to close to 40 districts and killed over 300 people, according to the United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA).

The agency warns that there is an alarming regional dimension developing as cholera cases have now been reported in Botswana and South Africa.

The spokesperson for the World Health Organization says the cholera outbreak is only the tip of the iceberg in Zimbabwe.

Fadela Chaib points out that the country has a very weak health infrastructure and the conditions of work for health professionals are very bad.

"Of course, when we talk about cholera, it's a disease that is preventable, that is curable. It's a serious disease but if it's taken early, if people get the treatment they need, they don't need to die, if you want. It's really something that we can prevent and something that we can treat. In this case, the water and sanitation problems are huge."

Fadela Chaib says the World Health Organization is working with its partners to help Zimbabwean Government health officials to contain cholera.

Diane Bailey, United Nations

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