Zimbabwe says cholera a national emergency

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A cholera outbreak that has killed more than 550 people in Zimbabwe has been declared a national emergency, health officials said.

Zimbabwean Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said hospitals desperately needed medicine, food and equipment and were experiencing staff shortages, the BBC reported Thursday. Zimbabwean leaders previously said the cholera outbreak was under control.

The United Nations reported at least 565 people died in the cholera outbreak, which began in August. More than 12,500 cases of cholera have been recorded.

The emergency declaration was made a day after riot police in Harare broke up demonstrations by doctors and nurses seeking better pay and working conditions, The New York Times reported.

By declaring an emergency, Parirenyatwa can appeal for international help he said "will help us reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the current socioeconomic environment by December 2009," the Times said.

The state-controlled Herald newspaper quoted the health minister as telling potential donors that key hospitals "literally are not functioning" and needed, among other things, medicines, laboratory reagents, surgical supplies, renal equipment, X-ray film and boilers.