Cholera outbreak worst in history

A young man surveys the aftermath of flooding in May 2015.  Photo by Daniel Hayduk

The current cholera outbreak is the worst in Tanzania’s history, says minister of health Ummy Mwalimu. Photo by Daniel Hayduk

The ongoing cholera outbreak is ‘the worst since 1978’ — when cholera was first identified in Tanzania — says minister of health Ummy Mwalimu.

To date, the August 2015 outbreak has killed 320 and hospitalized over 20,000,  says Mwalimu.

Mwalimu says 624 new cases were reported between January and March 2016.

These figures tell us that urgent measures are needed to fight the disease … Things are not encouraging.”

The majority of cases have been in Dar and are largely blamed on a lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitary facilities, especially during rainy season.

Cholera is prevented by proper hand washing, using safe water and cooking food thoroughly.

Infected persons, when treated rapidly, can recover quickly and there are no long term consequences.

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About the Author

Daniel Hayduk
Daniel is Dar Post's news director. When not in the newsroom, he spends his days helping NGOs across the continent find their creative side.