Zimbabwe cholera: Over 2200 fatalities and 42600 infections

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In Zimbabwe, MSF Responding to Cholera Outbreak

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While all eyes are focused on the shower of violence and despair drenching the Gaza strip, the inauguration of America's first black American, and the crumbling global economy, the Zimbabwean fight against cholera has vanished from the headlines.

Despite the fact that over 42.600 are currently getting treatment and over 2200 have died over the past month or two. According to UNICEF something has to be done at this very moment, to prevent more people from perishing. It is estimated that 1 550 new cases are being reported every single day, mainly due to lack of clean water and poor hygiene.

One of the urgent priorities, said UNICEF, is for the government to reserve funds to pay Zimbabwean health workers.

Cholera outbreaks are common in developing countries. Although the waterborne disease can be fatal, it usually kills only about 1 percent of those infected. In Zimbabwe however, that percentage lies at five percent.