Zimbabwe sees outbreak of cholera

More than 3,000 people have died as a result of an outbreak of cholera in Zimbabwe, it has been claimed.

A senior official in the country's health ministry is reported to have made the claim to the Independent newspaper, despite official figures placing the death toll at approximately 300.

The official, who elected to remain anonymous, is quoted by the newspaper as saying: "Even this higher figure is still an understatement because very few bother to register the deaths of their relatives."

Oxfam yesterday issued a warning that as many as one million of Zimbabwe's 13 million citizens could be at risk if this latest Cholera outbreak reaches epidemic proportions, with predicted heavy rainfalls likely to worsen the situation.

Zimbabwe's deputy health minister Edwin Muguti has appealed for international aid to stem the spread of the infection, but blamed the outbreak on alleged western economic sanctions against the country.