Zimbabwe Cholera Toll Nears 800, Up 200 in One Day

[tekisui]

A total of 774 people have died
in the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe and the figures are rising daily, the World Health Organisation says.

The death toll on Wednesday was almost 200 more than the one reported just a day earlier.

WHO has warned that up to 60,000 people could become infected if the epidemic is not checked.

Fadela Chaib, WHO's spokeswoman, said the latest death figure covered the period up to December 8.

The WHO said the number of cholera cases in the country is rising because of a lack of safe drinking water and medical facilities.

There are almost 15,000 known cases of the disease in Zimbabwe, according to the UN.

Three major hospitals have closed because of the deepening economic crisis, and hundreds of people have been forced to seek treatment in neighbouring South Africa.

more... http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2008/12/20081210105113521740.html

[Raskolnik]

1. Mugabe is the gift that keeps giving, isn't he?

Nice work, Robbie.

[Kurska]

2. So when is this house of cards going to come crashing down already?

Isn't enough enough?

[tekisui]

3. The UK is already referring to Zim as a failed state.

The AU has ruled out an invasion. Kenya wants a force to go in and dispose Mugabe. No one is supporting him anymore, but no one has the gumption to get involve, either. Nothing but 'harsh words' so far.

[Raskolnik]

4. The AU, and in particular Mbeki, has royally fucked this up.

This was a golden opportunity for the AU to intervene and stabilize a nation that was within their power to stabilize. Instead, Zimbabwe went from being a breadbasket to one (small) step above anarchy.