2 killed, 47 fall sick as cholera outbreak hits southern Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Two people have died from cholera and 47 others were admitted to isolated health centers in the past week in Masasi district, located in the Mtwara region of southern Tanzania, an official said Thursday.

Masasi District Commissioner Loutery Kanoni said that the outbreak occurred in Mbangala village, where two fatalities and 47 diagnoses were confirmed. Kanoni suggested that the acute water shortage affecting parts of the Masasi district might have contributed to the outbreak.

According to the Ministry of Health, there have been 134 documented cholera outbreaks in 13 regions since Jan. 5, 2024, resulting in 1,521 reported cases and 34 deaths.