The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have reported that cholera has claimed eighteen lives in Niger following intense flooding from heavy rains since July.
The floods have affected 43,000 persons in five regions, posing serious health risks to them. Over 200 cases of cholera, a water-borne disease had been reported over the past three weeks across the region.OCHA spokesperson Elisabeth Byrs said: "Urgent measures must be taken to control the outbreak of the disease and prevent the spread of other infections caused by contaminated drinking water."
The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has already sent medicines while a task force has been dispatched by the UN World Health Organization (WHO) to evaluate the situation. Some of the urgent needs include food, treated mosquito sheets and covers.
A joint task force of the UN, Red Cross and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is in place to follow the situation.
Source-Medindia
NLA
