Cholera outbreak hits Malian refugee camp in Niger
UN is working to contain a cholera outbreak in Niger in a camp for people fleeing conflict in Mali.
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) - Melissa Fleming, the chief spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said in a statement on Tuesday that a total of seven people have died from cholera in recent weeks.
They include two refugees who died in the Mangaize camp, currently housing 15,000 refugees in the Tillaberi region of Niger, located close to the Malian border.
On May 11, the government of Niger declared a cholera epidemic. Last year, a total of 110 people died throughout Niger.
This year s epidemic could be worse because of the concentration of refugees. Niger is currently housing some 50,000 Malian refugees, said the statement.
