Cholera kills over 100 in four countries

Over 100 people have died this year from cholera in four West African countries, according to statistics from the World Health Organisation and the health ministry of one of the affected countries, Benin. In Burkina Faso, 55 cases including three deaths were reported between 14 July and 4 September 2001 in the southern region of Tenkodogo, near the border with Togo, WHO said on Monday. "Laboratory tests have confirmed Vibrio cholerae," it said, adding that the Togolese health ministry was taking preventive measures. In Cote d'Ivoire, some 897 cases, including 47 deaths, had been reported as at 12 August in the economic capital, Abidjan. The Ministry of Health, assisted by Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) has established special health care facilities to receive patients and carry out treatment, WHO said. In Niger, 13 cases including three deaths were reported between 27 August and 2 September 2001 in the southwestern region of Tillaberi. WHO said Niger's ministry of health was assessing measures taken so far to control the disease in the affected area. In Benin, which borders on Niger and Burkina Faso, 57 people died from cholera between January and 9 September, according to the Health Ministry's epidemiological service, which said there were 2,176 cases. The worst affected departments are Borgou and Alibori in the northeast, which together had 1,863 cases and 50 deaths. Other affected departments are Zou and Collines in the centre, where 203 cases and four deaths were registered, along with Atlantique and Littoral in the south with 110 cases and three deaths. No cases have been registered in the departments of Atacora and Donga in the northwest, Mono and Couffo in the southwest, and Oueme/Plateau in the southeast thanks to concerted actions by the health sector, sources said. While the situation in the affected areas is said to be under control, there is still a risk that the disease may spread, sources added.