Zimbabwe cholera toll tops 1,000

The United Nations (UN) is planning for 60,000 people potentially becoming infected with cholera in Zimbabwe, after the death toll reached a new high.

More than 1,100 people have been killed by cholera in the African nation with the virus continuing to spread through the capital of Zimbabwe.

The number of suspected cases reported to world health officials has also risen to almost 20,600, according to the UN.

Cholera is a water-borne disease that thrives in unsanitary conditions.

Infrastructure in the nation has gone into meltdown following years of failed crops, hyper-inflation and poor governance under Robert Mugabe despite a recent power-sharing agreement.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon told reporters: "We need a fair and sustainable political solution in Zimbabwe, as provided under previous agreements. And we need it fast."

The UN had appealed for cash donations and medical supplies to be sent to the country, including cholera treatment such as rehydration salts.

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