UN: Cholera cases in Zimbabwe top 60,000

[January 30, 2009]  HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- The United Nations says an out-of-control cholera epidemic has sickened more than 60,000 Zimbabweans since August.

Experts had predicted the crisis would peak at 60,000 cases, but the U.N. humanitarian affairs agency says 60,401 cases and 3,161 deaths have now been recorded. Experts believe many more have been sickened without being counted because so few Zimbabweans are able to get to hospitals.

U.N. agency spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said Friday the outbreak that began in August was still out of control.

The collapse of Zimbabwe's health and sanitation infrastructure under the weight of hyperinflation has made it difficult to contain cholera. Humanitarian groups also are battling a hunger crisis.

[Associated Press]

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