Deadly Cholera Outbreak in Congo

The southern Democratic Republic of Congo was hit by a deadly cholera the worst ever experienced in recent times. The epidemic has taken a toll of around 60 lives and infected more than 2000 in the Congo province of Katanga alone.

Health officials said on Wednesday that since the start of the year, outbreaks of the waterborne disease swept across both the urban and the rural areas, though the rural areas were the worst hit.

During the rainy season floods pollute water systems and becomes the breeding ground for Cholera. Severe cholera causes sudden diarrhoea that can lead to death due to acute dehydration and kidney failure. Cholera can be prevented by treating drinking water with chlorine and by improving hygiene in the neighborhoods.

The World Health Organization and the Health Ministry said that the cause of the epidemic in the mineral-rich province of Katanga was due to a mining boom that has resulted in a spurt in population in the recent months with the arrival of mining companies.

Katanga's provincial health minister, Augustin Ilunga told Reuters that though Cholera is widely spread in many parts of Congo, sweeping epidemics experienced this year is the worst ever and added that neighborhoods continue to be without drinking water or proper sanitation.

Joseph Prior the head of MSF-Belgium's mission in Congo said that poor families are highly affected because they use contaminated water from wells and springs.