TBD
WHO records over to 3,000 cases of cholera in three West African countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded over 3,000 cases of cholera in northern Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger.
cholera patient
According to the UN health agency the largest number is in Cameroon with more than 2,800 cases and over 200 deaths since May.
The agency says the fatality rates linked to cholera in these countries are too high compared to the 1.0 percent threshold tolerated.
The Coordinator of the WHO's group on cholera, Claire-Lise Chaignat says there is clearly an epidemic of cholera around the Lake Chad Basin where access to safe water is very scarce.
"We know that cholera is food-borne disease, that is in fact food that has been in contact with contaminated water is, of course, at high risk of transmitting cholera to people. So, very good food hygiene is actually very important for preventing the disease from spreading."
Claire-Lise Chaignat says the biggest challenge in that part of Africa is to improve the access of the population to safe water.
Dianne Penn, United Nations Radio.
(duration: 1'10")
