Cholera kills 4 in Swaziland
2003-12-27 16:19
Manzini, Swaziland - Four people died of cholera this week in Manzini, the industrial capital of the tiny southern African kingdom of Swaziland after heavy rains damaged the water supply system, a health ministry official said on Saturday.
"Following the recent rains, people from around Manzini will have to avoid drawing water from streams but instead ... draw water from taps, and those who do not have taps will have to boil it before using it," the spokesperson said.
Several water pipes burst in the area after the rains, forcing people to collect water from nearby streams.
"The situation is so bad such that four have died of cholera and if you are not careful, more could die," she said.
Siphiwe Nxumalo, a 55-year-old pensioner, said her five children were in hospital.
"The recent rains destroyed our water supply and we now depend on the nearest stream for our daily needs," she said.
Manzini is in the centre of Swaziland and about 49km from the capital Mbabane.
The recent downpours covered urban areas. Very little rain fell in the countryside where more than 300 000 people are relying on relief food following a crippling drought.