AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - New outbreak of cholera: 60 dead and 15,000 infected in two months

Wednesday, 10 March 2004

Rome (Fides Service) - An outbreak of cholera is affecting central and southern regions of Mozambique. More than 60 people have died and 15,000 were infected in the past two months. Maputo, the capital, was among the most affected areas. Local media said that to deal with the large number of patients coming for assistance the authorities had to open emergency health centres near hospitals. In January Mavalane hospital treated between two and three hundred patients with cholera.
To make things worse, torrential rains in Maputo and in the port city Beira could cause a cholera epidemic in the poor districts where people lack even basic health care assistance.
Cholera is endemic in some regions of Mozambique where annual outbreaks take dozens of lives due mainly to poor hygiene and lack of health service. (AP) (10/3/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:16; Parole: 192)


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