A report released by the United Nations notes that the number of people dying from cholera in Zimbabwe has topped 4,000, while 89,000 total cases of the disease have been reported since the outbreak began in August last year.

However, the report noted that the 2,151 new cases identified last week were down from 8,000 per week at the beginning of the year.

“We have recorded a certain decline in cases and deaths from week to week,” World Health Organization spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said.

Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe. Approximately one in 20 infected persons has severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours.

Lack of clean water together with the blocked sewage systems and the uncollected refuse overflowing in the streets were at the center at this cholera outbreak, according to a report released in February by Medecins Sans Frontiere. These factors add to other economical issues the country is facing at this time. The whole health system appears to be down in Zimbabwe. Lack of money forced many hospitals to close their door. Also, many people are dying at home because they have no money to afford treatment.

The Zimbabwe economy is down at this point mainly because of Robert Mugabe’s corrupt, violent and profoundly destructive reign, which has left more than 80 percent of the country’s population unemployed.