"Public Health Catastrophe" Imminent in Myanmar

Myanmar's military junta raised the official death count from Cyclone Nargis to nearly 29,000, but still is refusing entry to many international relief agencies. Oxfam, the international aid group, warned of an impending "public health catastrophe" that would multiply the death toll many times over.

U.S. diplomats and international aid organizations have warned the death toll could continue to climb, up to 100,000 people. And the United Nations has said nearly 2 million people may be in need of aid, and at risk of starvation, illness from drinking unclean water and other serious secondary problems resulting from the storm.

Opposition Burmese leaders have urged the United Nations to force its way into the nation to deliver relief, a step that the U.N. has so far avoided.

Aid agencies have warned that it could take weeks to reach some of the victims, even if the military allows access.

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