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Nigeria: Cholera epidemic death toll rises to 352

26 August 2010 02:26 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Health officials are warning that all of Nigeria is at risk in a cholera epidemic that has killed 352 people since the beginning of the year, APA reports quoting â€œAssociated Pressâ€.
The Health Ministry issued a statement Wednesday saying the country has had more than 6,400 cases of the waterborne infection this year. The statement blames heavy seasonal rains and inadequate toilet facilities for spreading the disease into water supplies.
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 Nigerian cases come as an outbreak in neighboring Cameroon has killed 155 people out of 2,000 confirmed cases.