Zanzibar mandates toilets in anti-cholera campaign

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2006

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania (AFP) — Health authorities in Zanzibar ordered the prosecution of outdoor defecators and homeowners whose properties are without toilets in a bid to halt a deadly cholera outbreak.

Officials said the measures were taken as the death toll from the outbreak that began in March climbed to at least 20 on Friday with more than 350 people taken ill on the semi-autonomous Indian Ocean archipelago.

"The situation is not good," Public Health Commissioner Juma Rajab said. "We must join hands to make sure people observe health regulations, mainly keeping the environment clean and each house must have a toilet.

"You must make sure people obey (laws) or take them to court if a home is without a toilet or keeps a cholera patient at home instead of...