May 26, 2009 8:30 p.m. EST
Harare, Zimbabwa (NewsBahn) - Zimbabwe is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in 15 years and it is likely that the 100,00th victim will develop the disease sometime this week, Red Cross officials say.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a statement Tuesday that there have been 98,309 cases officially reported, so far, with about 4,283 deaths.
Although the pace at which the number of new cases is being reported is beginning to slow, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) and the IFRC warned that the risk of infection remains.
"(The) eradication of cholera in Zimbabwe or the complete conclusion to this current epidemic is unlikely unless the underlying causes of the health crises are addressed," the joint ZRCS and IFRC report released Tuesday states.
"Central to this outbreak remains the almost complete collapse of Zimbabwe's basic water, sanitation and health infrastructure. Communities across the country are still without access to potable water and basic sanitation, and health facilities continue to be understaffed and under resourced," Red Cross officials said.
The next step is to make sure that households have clean water and the necessary sanitation facilities. However, Red Cross officials note that it will take years to rehabilitate Zimbabwe's infrastructure to accomplish that.
Cholera broke out 10 months ago. Widespread food insecurity made the situation worse.
Red Cross officials are trying to raise $3.5 million to repair existing water sources, develop more and build toilets. They are soliciting donations from the international community.
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