Death toll in Zimbabwe cholera epidemic tops 4,000

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The death toll from Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic has topped 4,000, and more than 89,000 have fallen sick, the United Nations said Monday. The UN in Geneva said the death toll in Zimbabwe was now 4,011. The spread of the disease is blamed on the collapse in the water and health infrastructure. Also Monday, South Africa's health minister said the disease has killed 59 people and infected 12,324 in her country since it spread from Zimbabwe in November, but it is now under control. Barbara Hogan said most of the cases of the highly infectious but easily curable disease were concentrated in northern areas near Zimbabwe. She said its spread is partly due to people drinking untreated river water and cannot be blamed only on Zimbabwe's epidemic.