Cholera death toll nears 300

BISSAU - The death toll from a cholera outbreak in Guinea-Bissau is approaching 300 and more than 4000 new cases have been reported this month alone, the Health Ministry said.

The tiny West African state was the worst hit by a region-wide cholera epidemic after months of heavy rains triggered outbreaks of the waterborne disease by flooding latrines and contaminating wells.

"There have been 15,776 registered cases, including 288 deaths," Tome Ca, a health ministry official, said.

At the start of September, there were just over 11,000 registered cases and 224 deaths had been reported.

The capital Bissau has borne the brunt of the epidemic, with more than 8800 cases.

Cholera can kill victims within 24 hours by inducing vomiting and diarrhoea that cause severe dehydration, but is treatable using a simple mixture of water and rehydration solution.

- REUTERS