Now Zimbabwe is in the grip of cholera outbreak

A CHOLERA epidemic could cripple Zimbabwe even further after the collapse of the country's health system, the UN warned today.

It said that more than 50 deaths from cholera were reported in the country yesterday alone, bringing the total to 366 since August with most in the past two weeks. The disease has spread to half the country, with more than 8,887 cases recorded in the outbreak.

Zimbabwe's Doctors for Human Rights said that hundreds more were dying of the disease at home, untreated after hospitals in the country shut because they could not pay staff, and others go without medication.

Dr Douglas Gwadziro said: "One can safely say the numbers are in the region of 500 to 600 of people that have succumbed to cholera."

The government, in limbo as president Robert Mugabe and opposition politicians try to settle disputed elections, is accused of lowering casualty figures and denying the crisis. Cholera is spread by contaminated water and the outbreak will worsen as the rainy season begins.