Cholera outbreak worsens in Zimbabwe

The cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe is worsening, with the United Nations now pegging the death toll at more than 400 with almost 10,000 cases reported.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in New York said in a news release Friday that nearly 500 new cases and 23 more deaths had been reported in the previous 24 hours. The largest increase in victims was reported around the southern Zimbabwe towns of Budiriro and Beitbridge.

The United Nations is assisting the government's efforts to provide clean water and medical supplies, build latrines and education people on ways to avoid the deadly illness. Poor hygiene awareness and inadequate solid waste treatment are major factors in the spread of the intestinal infections.

The U.N. agency said more health professionals are needed because of the scale of the outbreak,.

Neighboring Botswana and South Africa also have reported cholera cases.