Gordon Brown has described the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, which has claimed almost 600 lives as an "international emergency".

The Prime Minister said conditions in the African state had deteriorated to such an extent that the international community must stand together and tell Robery Mugabe "enough is enough".

The disease epidemic has so far killed 575 people and left another 13,000 sick since an outbreak in August. In a statement Mr Brown said there was a duty to give the Zimbabwean people a "better future".

The disease could spread to other parts of Africa unless urgent action is taken, he warned.

“This is now an international rather than a national emergency," said the Prime Minister. "International because disease crosses borders. International because the systems of government in Zimbabwe are now broken. There is no state capable or willing of protecting its people.

“International because - not least in the week of the 60th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights - we must stand together to defend human rights and democracy, to say firmly to Mugabe that enough is enough."

Harare, the capital, has 179 deaths and has a further 6,448 suspected cases according to the United Nations 's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

"The entire health system is collapsing, there are no more doctors, no nurses, no specialists," said spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs.

Britain has pledged an emergency aid package to help tackle the spread of the disease, a bacterium infection which leads to dramatic dehydration and can prove fatal within 24 hours if not treated.

Mr Brown said a "command and control structure" needed to be put in place quickly to allow international aid to reach people.

Further deaths could be prevented by the distribution of rehydration kits and cholera testing packs.

The Prime Minister said he hoped the United Nations Security Council would meet urgently to consider the situation in Zimbabwe, adding: "The people of Zimbabwe voted for a better future. It is our duty to support that aspiration.”

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