Zimbabwe cholera outbreak rises to more than 6,500 cases

The Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe says cholera infections have now risen to more than 6,500 cases, up from the 5,000 reported cases earlier this month.

The death toll remains at 31.

A leading teachers’ union has called for schools to be closed until the outbreak is contained, Eyewitness News reports.

The health ministry says 6,533 suspected cases of cholera have now been recorded.

These latest figures are from Monday, though, and infections have been rising by several hundred per day.

The government is said to be preparing for the worst. Earlier this week, it appealed to donors for $51 million to treat up to 50,000 people it says are at risk of getting the disease.

Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Rural Teacher’s Union of Zimbabwe says schools around the country should be closed as a precaution.

In a statement, it says schools in rural areas do not have running water and stand to be the most affected by the cholera outbreak.

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