MOSCOW, February 24 (RIA Novosti) - The number of
people infected during Zimbabwe's worst cholera outbreak in
more than a decade has topped 83,000, with more than 3,800
deaths, the World Health Organization said.
According to the latest WHO figures, as of February 23, a
total of 83,036 cases of cholera, resulting in 3,868 deaths had
been detected in the African state since August 2008.
"Difficult accessibility, lack of transport, poor
communication systems and decreased clean water availability
remain challenges in fighting and controlling the outbreak,"
the WHO said on its website.
Health experts warn that the infection, which has already
been reported in 80.3% of Zimbabwe's territory, could spread
further during the ongoing rainy season due to dilapidated
water and sanitation infrastructure.
Cholera outbreaks have already been registered in the
neighboring South Africa, Botswana Malawi, Mozambique and
Zambia.
A high-ranking WHO delegation held talks on Monday with
President Robert Mugabe and new Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai.
Zimbabwe currently faces record hyperinflation of 231
million percent and 94% unemployment. The extended economic
crisis has devastated the healthcare system, leaving the
country virtually incapable of dealing with the cholera
epidemic.
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