New cholera outbreak hits Moz

2007-11-27 13:13

Maputo - Health authorities in the central Zambezia province in Mozambique were on high alert after the deaths last week of two people out of more than 20 reported cases of cholera, the daily Noticias reported on Tuesday.

It was reported that health authorities in the Chire region of Morrumbala district had increased the number of diagnostic equipment used in the treatment of cholera in the districts of the province located near the Malawian border.

In October this year, health authorities reported the death of two people in the same province while another six were hospitalised in the same district.

Authorities blamed the occurrence of the transmittable disease on the consumption of contaminated water.

Cholera outbreaks had often been reported in Mozambique's rural and urban centres during the rainy season, which began in November.

Health officials were encouraging residents to boil or treat their water before drinking it or using it to wash vegetables and fruit.

- SAPA