Cholera outbreak kills hundreds

Nigeria (AP):

Health officials are warning that all of Nigeria is at risk in a cholera epidemic that has killed 352 people since the beginning of the year.

The health ministry issued a statement yesterday saying the country has had more than 6,400 cases of the waterborne infection this year. The statement blames heavy seasonal rains and inadequate toilet facilities for spreading the disease into water supplies.

Cholera is a fast-moving infection that causes diarrhoea in victims, leading to severe dehydration and possible death. The infection is highly contagious yet easily preventable with clean water and sanitation.

The Nigerian cases come as an outbreak in neighbouring Cameroon has killed 155 people out of 2,000 confirmed cases.