NAIROBI, Dec 22 (IPS) - The cholera epidemic which has been plaguing Angola for nearly a year has placed the spotlight on the continuing lack of safe drinking water in that country.

Over the past 11 months, the illness has spread to 16 of the 18 provinces and claimed the lives of more than 2,440 people, according to official estimates. But health workers in the country say the figure is probably much higher as many cases are not reported.

Cholera is an illness caused by contaminated water and characterised by severe diarrhoea and vomiting. It is easily treatable if there is health care infrastructure, an efficient transport system which ensures speedy travel to health care centres, and if safe drinking water is accessible.

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Posted by pichu at December 22, 2006 11:40 PM