World News

Cholera outbreak worsens in West Africa

Published: Sept. 7, 2012 at 3:16 PM

GENEVA, Switzerland, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Heavy rain and flooding forecast in West Africa will worsen an epidemic of cholera, UNICEF officials said.

UNICEF reported 55,289 cases of cholera have been reported in the 15 countries in the region. More than 1,100 have died. Particularly hard-hit are the nations of Guinea, Sierra Leone and villages in nations bordering Congo. Heavy rains have washed out villages and left residents without access to proper sanitary systems or clean water.

Fatality rates for those who contract cholera are as high as 8 percent, the World Health Organization said, calling the deaths "avoidable" and "unacceptably high."

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