Chad cholera outbreak kills 13, ministry says

A cholera outbreak in Chad has killed 13 people and infected 239 nationwide since it was officially declared in July, the health ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry said the outbreak affects the northern province of Hadjer Lamis and the capital, N'Djamena. An official bulletin put the death rate at 5.4 percent.

Eleven of the 13 deaths occurred in N'Djamena during August, the bulletin said. The first deaths were reported on June 13, more than a month before the outbreak was declared on July 24.

Around 50,800 people have been vaccinated since the declaration.

Several African countries have reported cholera outbreaks in recent months, including the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with bacteria. It can usually be treated with rehydration salts or antibiotics, but can be fatal within hours if untreated.

The ministry said limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation in Chad means cholera remains a challenge.