28 Nov 2008

Cholera crisis could worsen in Zimbabwe

5:49 pm on 28 November 2008

The Zimbabwean government has warned that an epidemic of cholera could worsen.

Deputy Health Minister Edwin Muguti says the government is finding it impossible to provide health and sanitation services.

The death toll to date is 386 from a total of 9,363 reported cases.

The World Health Organisation said last week the outbreak would likely to continue due to water shortages and poor sanitation.

Cholera causes vomiting and acute diarrhoea, and can rapidly lead to death from dehydration.

The state-run Herald newspaper reported on Thursday that China had pledged $US500,000 of vaccines to help Zimbabwe fight the outbreak.