Death toll in Zimbabwe cholera epidemic reaches 1,732
Posted: 06 January 2009 1750 hrs

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GENEVA : At least 1,732 people have died in Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic and the number of cases diagnosed has risen to 34,306, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday.

The organisation last Thursday reported 1,586 dead and 31,656 suspected cases of the water-borne disease.

United Nations aid agencies have been warning for weeks that the number of cases could top 60,000, with the impending rainy season likely to facilitate the spread of the disease.

All 10 of the country's provinces have been hit, according to UN statistics, which remain incomplete because of a lack of local medical personnel and communications problems.

Zimbabweans are also struggling against hyper-inflation, severe food shortages and chronic political instability. - AFP/ms