TANZANIA: Cholera breaks out in Dar es Salaam

DAR ES SALAAM, 10 January 2006 (IRIN) - At least 52 cases of cholera have been reported in parts of the Tanzanian commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, over the last month, a city official said on Tuesday. "We are worried over more new cases although we have warned the people to adhere to rules of hygiene, including boiling drinking water, use of toilets and washing hands with soap," Gaston Makwembe, the Dar es Salaam City Information Officer, said. However, he said an acute shortage of water due to drought could be one of the reasons for increased cases of cholera because people use water from ponds and other unsafe sources. "Taps in many parts of the city are now dry," he said. "People buy water from vendors, some of them draw water from ponds and other dangerous sources. Unfortunately some people drink or use the water unboiled for washing utensils." Makwembe said, so far, none of the reported cases had been fatal. He said those admitted to various centres were treated and discharged.