Disease

Botulism in Portugal

Portugal health officials have confirmed a small botulism outbreak in the northeastern region of the country. Four cases of food-borne botulism related to the consumption of homemade smoked ham in mid- July were confirmed in Bragança district.

Nigeria: Lassa fever

In the past three weeks, active transmission of Lassa fever has been reported in five states (Bauchi, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, and Plateau) of Nigeria. 13 new suspected cases were reported from four states during the last week of July, namely: Plateau (5), Ondo (5) Bauchi (2), and Ogun (1), including two deaths.

Cholera Outbreak in Somaliland

The people of Somaliland - a state which declared independence from the rest of Somalia - are suffering from malnutrition caused by three years of drought. The children in the region, already weakened by hunger and illness, are now at risk of contracting the deadly disease cholera. The deadly disease is one of the fastest spreading in Somaliland and is claiming the lives of many, from the old to the very young. In some areas 500 new cases are reported each day.