Zimbabwe declares national emergency over cholera epidemic

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-05-2008 10:49

Zimbabwe has declared a national emergency over a cholera epidemic and the collapse of its health care system. The country is asking for more help to pay for food and drugs.

A Zimbabwean infant waits to receive blankets provided by the African Red Cross in Alexandra, South Africa. (AFP/File/Paballo Thekiso)

The UN says the cholera outbreak has killed more than 500 people across the country since August.

High levels of cholera are common in the region but it's hitting Zimbabwe especially hard because the population has already been weakened by hunger and poverty.

Officials blame the latest outbreak on lack of water treatment and broken sewage pipes. On Wednesday, the Red Cross shipped in more supplies to fight cholera in the country.

But a Red Cross official said more water treatment plants and medical staff are needed... and costs could climb into tens of millions of US dollars.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei