Somalia: Cholera outbreak death toll tops 700

Cholera has hit 13 of 18 Somalia’s provinces, in biggest outbreak in the country in 5 years, according to WHO

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA)- At least 11 people, including women and children, died over the last two days and more than 30 people were also infected after a cholera outbreak hit villages in central Somalia, pushing the death toll just over 700.

Saed Mohamud Hassan, a traditional elder in the region, told Anadolu Agency over the telephone, “The villages of Dalhis, Hodley, Halaney and Hul-adur were hard hit by the outbreak. At least 11 people died, including eight women, two children, and an elder.”

Dr. Abdimalik Mustaf, a doctor in the region, also confirmed the death toll to Anadolu Agency.

Over 13 out of 18 Somali regions have been hit by the outbreak, according to the United Nations.

Somalia’s drought has led to a lack of clean water, and before today’s new toll, cholera had killed about 690 people this year, the largest outbreak of cholera Somalia has seen in the last five years, according to the WHO.

“Drought in Somalia led to the destruction of crops and livestock, leaving more than 3.3 million hungry every day. If the current situation continues, famine could soon be a reality,” the WHO said last week.

Kaynak:

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