Nairobi - The number of Kenyans who have died since the start of the year in a cholera outbreak has risen to 89, the Red Cross Society said on Wednesday, warning water shortages could spread the disease to Nairobi.
Kenya Red Cross Society spokesperson Titus Mungou said that since the first case was reported in the western Nyanza province in late December 2008, a total of 4 000 cases and 89 deaths were confirmed.
He added that water shortages across the country had led many people, including in the capital, to buy water, often from unreliable sources.
"People who are buying water need to be careful on whether they are buying water that is treated," Mungou cautioned.
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Health Minister Beth Mugo last month described the outbreak as an emergency and urgently requested funds to tackle the disease and enhance prevention programmes.
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with a bacterium known as "Vibrio Cholerae". - Sapa-AFP
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