DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 8 – Four people died and 58 were hospitalised following a fresh outbreak of cholera in the eastern Tanzanian region of Morogoro, an official said Wednesday.
"Three of the deceased persons are members of the same family," Morogoro regional health officer, Cares Lyimo, told AFP.
He said the first cases in the area were reported two weeks ago and added that 58 people had since been admitted to hospital with cholera symptoms.
Lyimo said water shortages in the region, forcing residents to buy unsafe water from vendors, were to blame for the outbreak.
The disease is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and is spread by consuming contaminated food or water.
Around 60 people died of cholera in Tanzania\’s northeastern Tanga region in September and October.