The official death toll as a result of the cholera outbreak has continued to rise, and in less than a week the figure has increased by more than a 100 reported deaths.

Last Friday, the World Health Organisation said the death toll had reached almost 1600, but by Monday the number had increased to 1732. By Wednesday the figure had jumped again and officially the death toll now stands at 1778, with almost 36 000 reported infections countrywide.

The UN has previously warned that up to 60 000 people could face infection in the coming weeks as the rainy season, which is expected to peak between February and March, is set to spread the disease further and trigger more outbreaks. But the unofficial infection rate is already believed to be reaching the 60 000 mark, and the unreported death toll is feared to be well over 3000.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's neighbouring countries have remained on high alert because of the disease spreading across their borders. The critical lack of treatment facilities in Zimbabwe has seen thousands of people leaving their homes in desperate attempts to receive medical care, resulting in the disease making its mark in other countries. 13 people have died from cholera in South Africa and doctors in the country's border town Musina, are still treating hundreds of sick people in cholera camps there. At the same time, authorities in the central province Gauteng, have been trying to allay fears of a serious outbreak there, after three deaths and 21 confirmed cases in and around Johannesburg.