Cholera outbreak kills 170, says Cameroon

The death toll from the worst cholera outbreak in northern Cameroon in 10 years has risen to 170, with dozens more people infected this week, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The new toll of 170, compiled on Wednesday, was up from 155 recorded on Monday, a ministry report said.

The number of cases had risen to 2 266 from 2 078 two days ago, it said.

The first case was detected on May 6 and they are all in the Extreme North region.

Cholera outbreaks are common in northern Cameroon, especially during the rainy season, but this year’s is the worst in 10 years.

Last year 51 people died from the disease.

Problems over water supplies, hygiene standards and illiteracy were aggravating the outbreak, officials say.—Sapa-AFP