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AWD kills two in Kigoma

A precious commodity flows in abundance,  despite water shortage in the area in the past, Arusha, Tanzania 2008. Julius Mwelu/IRIN
A precious commodity flows in abundance, despite water shortage in the area in the past, Arusha, Tanzania 2008
An outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) in Tanzania's western district of Kigoma has caused two deaths and resulted in the hospitalisation of 28 others, health officials said.

"The disease was first reported in some villages on 27 May; we have already opened special health centres and sent health workers and drugs to the affected villages," Edwin Kilimba, Kigoma district medical officer, said on 2 June.

Kilimba said poor sanitation and a lack of clean and safe drinking water were the main reason for the outbreak. He said the ongoing construction of a road in the affected area had contributed to a disruption of the water supply system.

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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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