The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded a warning over a rise in cholera cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Authorities at UNICEF say the disease has claimed more than 1 800 lives, with children accounting for 340 deaths since the start of this year.
The outbreak has spread to 17 of the country’s 26 provinces.
Health officials say more than 64 000 people have been infected with the disease since the beginning of this year.
Authorities say the outbreak has disrupted children’s education and made them witness the loss of family members.
UNICEF has described the outbreak as the worst to have occurred in the DRC in 25 years.
Cholera is spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria. Its symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration.
Many provinces in the DRC lack access to clean water and sanitation services, which has led to the rapid spread of the disease.
The cholera outbreak has been compounded by heavy rains that caused floods, which damaged water systems and the armed conflict in the east of the DRC.
Government is working with international health organisations to treat patients and curb the disease from spreading further.
