Cholera worsens in Senegal
2005-09-21 20:32
Dakar - The number of cholera cases had surged for the past few weeks in Senegal after heavy rains and flooding in this impoverished West African nation, said a health official on Wednesday.
Pape Salif Sow, head of the infectious diseases department at Dakar's Fann Hospital, said up to 50 cases of cholera had been treated daily in recent weeks, up from three in July.
Sow said: "There has been a surge in the number of cases.
"Heavy downpours have left sewage and rain waters floating around in Dakar and the outskirts ... and this has created a favourable environment for bacteria to multiply."
Sow said a massive prevention campaign was needed to end the epidemic.
Cholera hits West Africa
On Wednesday, authorities announced a large-scale cleaning operation to rid Dakar and its suburbs of trash and litter.
According to the World Health Organisation, the entire West African region had been hit by cholera with 31 259 people infected in eight countries since June and 488 reported dead.
Cholera, which was common in West Africa, was a severe bacterial infection of the intestine caused by ingesting infected food or water.
Symptoms included diarrhoea and vomiting, which could kill unless treated quickly.
Epidemics were linked to poor hygiene, overcrowding, inadequate sanitation and unsafe water.
- AP