Mozambique says cholera cases up to 271 in cyclone-hit city

Mozambique says cholera cases up to 271 in cyclone-hit city
A family builds a temporary structure after their house was destroyed, on the outskirts of Beira in Mozambique, Thursday, March 28, 2019. The first cases of cholera have been confirmed in the cyclone-ravaged city of Beira, Mozambican authorities announced on Wednesday, raising the stakes in an already desperate fight to help hundreds of thousands of people sheltering in increasingly squalid conditions. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Mozambican authorities say the number of cholera cases among cyclone survivors has risen to 271.

The Portuguese news agency Lusa cites national health director Ussein Isse, who initially declared the outbreak of the acute diarrheal disease on Wednesday with just five cases.

The report says so far no cholera deaths have been confirmed.

The cases have been discovered in the port city of Beira, whose half-million residents and especially those in crowded poor neighborhoods are at particular risk.

Doctors Without Borders has said it is already seeing some 200 likely cholera cases per day in the city, where relief workers are hurrying to restore the damaged water system and bring in additional medical assistance.

The World Health Organization has said some 900,000 vaccine doses are expected to arrive on Monday.

Mozambique says cholera cases up to 271 in cyclone-hit city
A house surrounded by flood water near Beira, Mozambique, Thursday, March 28, 2019. The first cases of cholera have been confirmed in the cyclone-ravaged city of Beira, Mozambican authorities announced on Wednesday, raising the stakes in an already desperate fight to help hundreds of thousands of people sheltering in increasingly squalid conditions. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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Mozambique cholera cases jump to 139 a day after outbreak

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