UN Says 192 Killed by Cholera in DRC

Posted July 14th, 2011 at 12:35 am (UTC-5)
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A United Nations report says cholera has killed 192 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo since March.

Wednesday's report also showed more than 3,000 cases of cholera in Congo during the same period.

The U.N. says the outbreak began in the northeast city of Kisangania and spread to Equateur, the capital, Kinshasa and Bandundu where the impact has been greatest.

The report says there have been nearly 1,300 cases and 72 deaths from cholera in Bandundu as of July 4.

A U.N spokesperson says The World Health Organization and its partners are helping the Congo wipe out cholera by organizing a good hygiene campaigns, setting up locations to help clean water, and making sure those who contract the disease get free treatment.

Cholera is an serious intestinal infection caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacteria known as vibrio cholera.