Cholera Epidemic Claims More Than 100 Lives In Guinea-Bissau

EPIDEMICS

Guinea Bissau River

Bissau (AFP) Aug 16, 2005
An outbreak of cholera in Guinea-Bissau which has infected thousands of people since early June has claimed 111 lives, the country's public health chief said Tuesday.

"The situation today has become very, very worrying despite the major awareness campaign that we have carried out in the media," said Tome Vaz, who is in charge of the public health section of the health ministry.

The total number of reported cases of cholera has climbed to 6,622, he said.

According to national radio, the situation has deteriorated in the south of the country because of a weaker response to the epidemic in that area and a shortage of health workers.

"We have launched an urgent appeal to the international community, but we've only received a trickle of aid," said Agostinho Semedo, head of the Simoa Mendes hospital in Bissau.

Health Minister Maria Odete Semedo told AFP that the nation received donations of medicine from Portugal, France and China.

The acute intestinal infection is caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the cholera bacteria.

EPIDEMICS

UN Warns Of Possible HIV/AIDS Explosion In Somalia

Nairobi (AFP) Aug 16, 2005
The United Nations warned Tuesday of an explosion of HIV/AIDS in lawless Somalia unless steps are taken quickly to stop the spread of the deadly disease and reduce numerous risk factors.

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