Torrential rains in southern Africa boost cholera cases

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

GENEVA (AFP) — Torrential rains that have lashed southern Africa in recent weeks have worsened a cholera outbreak in the region, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies said.

Announcing the release of additional funds to respond to the devastating floods, the Red Cross said it had registered a total of 3,868 new cases in Angola since the beginning of January.

It said Zambia, also affected by the heavy rains, had seen a rise too, the agency added, saying that so far some 143 people had died from the disease since October last year.

The federation has released more than 1.2 million Swiss francs (960,000 dollars, 750,000 euros) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund for Angola, Malawi, and two other affected southern African...