The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded a warning over a rise in cholera cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Authorities at UNICEF say the disease has claimed more than 1800 lives, with children accounting for 340 deaths since the start of this year.
A cholera outbreak in the DRC has spread to 17 of the country’s 26 provinces.
Health officials say more than 64 000 people have been infected with the disease since the beginning of this year.
More than 1800 of them have died, including 340 children.
Authorities say the outbreak has disrupted children’s education and made them witness the loss of family members.
UNICEF has described the outbreak as the worst to have occurred in the DRC in 25 years.
Cholera is spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria.
–SABC–
