Zimbabwe cholera outbreak deepens

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Health officials say a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe has claimed nearly 300 lives.

The World Health Organization told the BBC Friday that the disease has sickened about 6,000 people and is likely to spread.

"The outbreak is likely to continue as the water and sanitation situation is worsening, with severe shortages of potable water, sewage and waste disposal problems reported in most of the populated areas," the agency said in a written statement.

The outbreak is considered the worst bout of cholera to strike the African nation in nearly a decade and has been aggravated by a shortage of medical supplies and personnel.

Zimbabwe's government said the situation was being confronted and pegged the death toll at 90; however the BBC said several government hospitals have been closed in recent weeks making it difficult for sick people to receive treatment.