AFRICA - Cholera continues to spread in the countries in Lake Chad area

Dakar (Agenzia Fides) - This year, due to cholera, about 1200 people in the countries bordering Lake Chad, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria have died. The disease, caused mainly by poor sanitation and lack of drinking water, has affected about 38,800 people in the region this year and continues to spread. Lake Chad Basin area is the center of economic activity for about 11 million people who deal with trade, fishing, agriculture. The population moves from one area to another for social and commercial activities and go to areas where there is poor hygiene. All this helps to spread infection and cholera. People do not have adequate access to drinking water and sanitation. Last year, 58 000 cholera cases, 2300 deaths, the most serious outbreak since 1991 were recorded in the region. This year, until the month of August, 14,730 cases were recorded in Cameroon, 554 deaths, a mortality rate of 3.76%, in Chad 10 314 cases and 314 deaths, a mortality rate of 3.1%; in Niger 976 cases, 25 deaths and a mortality rate of 2.5%. In Nigeria, at the beginning of the month of August 12,840 cases were registered, 318 deaths and a mortality rate of 2.5%. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 01/09/2011)