Cholera spreads in D.R.Congo

From Federation News 1/03
A cholera outbreak which began in September in the province of Kasai-Oriental has spread at an alarming rate in villages around the provincial capital, Mbuji-Mayi. At least 2,000 cases have been reported, mainly in women and children, and over 100 have died. More than 20 people are being infected every day. The International Federation has launched an appeal for 160,000 Swiss francs (US$112,000) to support the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross, which has at least 120 volunteers dealing with the outbreak in the affected region. It is estimated that 4,000 people will be in need of treatment over the next three months, while 250,000 will need to be reached through sensitization activities.