|
Flooding in Niger sparks cholera outbreak: UN
2006-09-23
Severe flooding in Niger has left 43,000 people homeless and sparked an outbreak of cholera that has already claimed 18 lives, the UN's aid body has warned. "Heavy rains since July have done major damage and cholera has been the result on the health side," said Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "In less than three weeks, 214 cases of cholera have been recorded, 18 of them fatal," Byrs told journalists. "Urgent action is needed to halt the spread of the disease and other illnesses sparked by polluted water." Aid agencies have been rushing supplies to the west African nation, but there is still a lack of food, mosquito nets and blankets, Byrs said.
|  | | | Profile |
News19 | Gallery | Links | |
| |
|
|
|
