United Nations Radio

The death toll in Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak has now reached 313. United Nations agencies in Zimbabwe say more than 7,000 cases of the disease have been reported, with the capital Harare among the worst affected areas. UN Radio's Patrick Maigua has the details.

The outbreak is reported to be spreading at an alarming rate with at least 35 out of Zimbabwe's 62 districts reporting cholera cases. United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF says providing sufficient response to the outbreak was challenging owing to the poor state of the country's health sector, acute water shortage and collapsing sanitation and sewerage infrastructure. UNICEF says a strike by health workers is forcing major hospitals to close or turn away cholera victims. World Health Organisation spokesperson Paul Garwood says emergency medical supplies were being shipped to Harare to help deal with the crisis.

"Today scheduled to arrive will be anti- diahorreal medicine and other drugs to treat 500 cases of severe cholera this includes IV fluids and oral re-hydration salts. Similar amounts are expected within coming days. As well as we are sending basic emergences supplies to treat 150,000 people for one month these are in urgent need not just for cholera but also for the entire working and functioning of the health system. WHO is pleased the government has lifted its ban on the drilling of bore holes, its crucial for people to have access to clean water, there has been concern over the quality of drinking water so the drilling of bore holes could be of assistance to the people."

WHO says there was no indication that the disease was spreading beyond Zimbabwe's borders although some of the victims were seeking medical help in neighbouring countries. UNICEF is appealing for nine million dollars to scale up its access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and hygiene services to some three million vulnerable people in Zimbabwe.

Patrick Maigua UN Radio Geneva.

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