Mozambique cholera death toll rises to 84

Jan 21, 2009, 15:26 GMT

Maputo - At least 13 people have died of cholera in Mozambique's north-western Tete province, bringing to 84 the number of people in the country bordering Zimbabwe to have succumbed to the disease since October, state radio reported Wednesday.

The deaths were recorded in the districts of Moatize, Changa and Tete town, where over 1,000 people in total have been diagnosed with cholera.

Health authorities in Tete attribute the increase in infections to the heavy rains that are pounding the region and surrounding countries, namely Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Manica province, which also borders Zimbabwe, has recorded more that 50 deaths so far. Some of the deaths are believed to have originated in Zimbabwe, where over 2,200 people have succumbed to cholera since August. But cholera also frequently occurs during the summer rainy season, when flooding causes water sources to become polluted.

All but one of Mozambique's 11 provinces - Gaza - are affected by the outbreak.

South Africa, where over 30 people have died of cholera in recent months, is also grappling with rising infection cases. Zambia, too, has experienced around two dozen fatalities.