36 dead and thousands infected from cholera in Mozambique this year, health minister says
By APThursday, February 25, 2010
36 dead from cholera outbreak in Mozambique
MAPUTO, Mozambique — Mozambique’s health minister says 36 people have died this year from a cholera outbreak in the northern and central parts of the southern African country.
Leonardo Chavane says more than 1,000 people have contracted the highly contagious yet easily preventable infection this year.
He said Thursday the situation is worrying because new cases are being reported daily and are complicated by rumors that health staff are spreading cholera rather than fighting it. Earlier this month, Mozambique’s state radio said seven people died in a riot sparked by such false rumors.
Chavane said health workers and community leaders in Zambezia and Nampul provinces have also been attacked by mobs. In other areas, health centers have been destroyed.
Tags: Africa, Disease Outbreaks, Diseases And Conditions, East Africa, Geography, Infectious Diseases, Maputo, Mozambique, Public Health
