Cholera kills 36 in Moz

2010-02-25 15:29

Maputo - Mozambique's health minister says 36 people have died this year from a cholera outbreak in the northern and central parts of the southern African country.

Leonardo Chavane says more than 1 000 people have contracted the highly contagious yet easily preventable infection this year.

He said on Thursday the situation is worrying because new cases are being reported daily and are complicated by rumours that health staff are spreading cholera rather than fighting it. Earlier this month, Mozambique's state radio said seven people died in a riot sparked by such false rumours.

Chavane said health workers and community leaders in Zambezia and Nampul provinces have also been attacked by mobs. In other areas, health centres have been destroyed.

- AP