By Ibrahim Mohamed
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Doctors say some samples of watery diarrhoea stools taken from the victims had tested positive for cholera, with the worst affected region being the central Hiraan area where at least 105 people have died.
In neighbouring Middle Shabele region, 16 people are thought to have died from the disease, which can be transmitted through contaminated food and water. In both areas, nearly 200 people have been admitted to hospital with suspected cases of cholera.
Both regions were badly hit by floods late last year.
"There is no hospital here. Victims are being taken care of by relatives," said Abdulle Adan, a local elder. "Forty two people have died this week in Buuloberde from the outbreak. Some of the dead are being buried today."
Residents of the affected areas fear the death toll will rise saying drugs are expensive and hospitals are ill-equipped to deal with the cases. Hospitals and aid workers are trying to contain the outbreak.
"Some of the samples taken to (Kenyan capital) Nairobi for testing have confirmed cholera," the director of Baladwayne hospital Mohamed Hussein Halane told Reuters by telephone. "We have admitted 160 cases and 14 have died in just a week."
Jowhar hospital in Middle Shabele was forced to quarantine cholera victims fearing the outbreak may spread, officials said.