- Nigeria's eastern Benue State has been struck by the worst cholera epidemic, which claimed at least 50 lives.
The fatal epidemic - officially confirmed on 26 March - had taken its tolls on the state's city, Madurdi and the town of Oturkpo. Cholera outbreaks in the areas were common in the past, but the current one is the first of its kind in terms of casualty.
Some 150 cases have so far been reported.
Health authorities said the outbreak caused by drinking contaminated river water. water from contaminated river.
With unreliable tap water supply, most residents in the affected areas have been forced to drink water from well, rivers and streams.
Though Benue State health authorities said they have been doing all they could to contain the epidemic, new patients continue to be admitted in the area's health facilities.
Cholera - an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacteria - has a short incubation period. It can easily lead to severe dehydration and death if it is not quickly treated.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español