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Cholera kills over 300 since August in Tanzania: official

Xinhua, April 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cholera has killed 320 people and infected over 20,000 in Tanzania since the outbreak erupted in August last year, the health minister said on Monday.

Ummy Mwalimu expressed concern over the increasing number of cholera cases, describing the outbreak as "the worst since 1978".

"As government, we've tried to sensitize the public on how to become free from the epidemic, but things are not encouraging," Mwalimu said in a statement.

Rains have helped spread the waterborne disease as safe drinking water and sanitary facilities remain scarce in many areas.

Across the Tanzanian mainland, 23 out of the 25 administrative regions have recorded cholera cases.

"Between January and March, this year, there are 624 new cases reported. These figures tell us that urgent measures are needed to fight the disease," Mwalimu said, adding more cases were expected.

Cholera is generally spread through food and water contaminated with bacteria.

In October last year, the World Health Organization said Tanzania was facing a major cholera outbreak, with its largest city Dar es Salaam being most affected. Endit