Plagues, Pestilences and Diseases
Nigeria: Cholera epidemic death toll rises to 352
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — All of Nigeria is at risk in a cholera epidemic
that has killed 352 people in only three-months time, health officials
warned Wednesday, as the country's rainy season continues to spread the
water-born infection.
The nation's Health Ministry issued a statement saying Nigeria has had
more than 6,400 cases of the disease since June. Doctors now have
detected it in 12 of Nigeria's 36 states.
"Epidemiological evidence indicates that the entire country is at
risk," the statement read.
Cholera is a fast-moving infection that causes diarrhea in victims,
leading to severe dehydration and possible death. The infection is
highly contagious yet easily preventable with clean water and
sanitation.
The health ministry blamed the recent outbreak on heavy seasonal rains
spreading the infection across rural communities without access to
proper toilet facilities. In many areas, wells remain uncovered,
allowing tainted water to flow into the communities' drinking water
supplies.
The Nigerian cases comes as an outbreak in neighboring Cameroon has
killed 155 people out of 2,000 confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, the health ministry says a measles outbreak in four states
has killed 83 and sickened more than 5,000 so far this year. Measles is
usually characterized by coughing, rash and high fever, and is fatal in
rare instances, though a vaccine exists to prevent the disease.
The outbreak comes after the World Health Organization warned in May
that measles is making a rapid comeback in the world, as funding cuts
for vaccination campaigns have allowed the disease to spread.