The district of Chipinge in Zimbabwe's Manicaland province is one of the latest localities to be hit hard by the cholera epidemic which continues to claim many lives.

Sources familiar with local conditions said Wednesday that the disease has spread fast and left entire families dead despite relief efforts by international organizations.

As of Wednesday about 45 people had died of cholera in Chipinge, according to the latest epidemic statistics from the World Health Organization.

Nationally, fatalities totaled 1,753 out of 35,330 cases through Tuesday, the U.N. agency said.

The Red Cross said only 43% of those hit by cholera nationally have reached a treatment center where they could receive medical assistance.

Chipinge South Member of Parliament Meki Makuyana of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai said the disease reached Chipinge last month and is now killing people in their homes as many are unable to get to a medical facility.

More reports from VOA's Studio Seven for Zimbabwe...