Haiti cholera fears after Hurricane Matthew kills hundreds

The number of lives lost continues to rise and thousands of homes are wrecked, amid concerns about the outbreak of disease.

Medics in Haiti are preparing for a likely surge in cholera cases as the nation is left with damaged water supplies in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

The deadly hurricane has battered the Caribbean, with Haiti the worst-hit.

Officials have said the number killed on the island nation has risen to 339 while more than 3,200 homes have been destroyed.

Some 21,000 survivors are now seeking refuge at just 152 shelters as the deadly storm moves on towards the US east coast.

Four people have also been killed in the Dominican Republic, one in Colombia and one in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Health officials in Haiti are bracing themselves for an increase in cases of cholera due to severely damaged water supplies and sanitation systems.

"Due to massive flooding and its impact on water and sanitation infrastructure, cholera cases are expected to surge after Hurricane Matthew and through the normal rainy season until the start of 2017," the Pan American Health Organization said in a statement.

Even before the storm hit this week, the impoverished nation was struggling to stem the water-borne disease.

Rescue workers are struggling to reach remote areas due to flooded roads, collapsed bridges and power outages.

The southern city of Jeremie is said to have suffered "complete destruction", while a bridge over the La Digue river in Petit Goave has been destroyed.

In Les Cayes, home to a major port, a cathedral roof has been completely blown off, and banana and mango crops have been ravaged in fields.

The Haitian government has estimated at least 350,000 people will need some sort of help following the disaster.

Aid groups are appealing for donations for a lengthy recovery effort amid the country's worst humanitarian crisis since the earthquake of 2010.

The UK is sending a team of humanitarian experts, International Development Secretary Priti Patel said.

"Homes have been destroyed, loved ones have been lost and people's livelihoods shattered. The British people will be there for those in need," she said.