An outbreak of cholera in northern Tanzania has continued to spread, claiming 59 lives over the past two months. Health ministry officials reported 60 new cases last week. A total of 3,454 cases of cholera were recorded in Tanga region during the last eight weeks, a health ministry spokesman said.
The most affected area was in Handeni District, where health officials have attributed the outbreak to ignorance of hygiene practices.
Seif Mpembenwe, Handeni district commissioner, said schools that had been closed because of the outbreak were expected to re-open in November. He said residents had been advised to dig and use toilets as well as boil drinking water to prevent cholera.
Health officials fear that the long rains due now could lead to more cases of cholera if correct hygiene is not observed.
Source: IRIN, 23 Oct 2009
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