An outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea kills 2 in Kigoma

An outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) in Tanzania's western district of Kigoma has caused two deaths and resulted in the hospitalisation of 28 others, health officials said.

"The disease was first reported in some villages on 27 May; we have already opened special health centres and sent health workers and drugs to the affected villages," Edwin Kilimba, Kigoma district medical officer, said on 2 June.

Kilimba said poor sanitation and a lack of clean and safe drinking water were the main reason for the outbreak. He said the ongoing construction of a road in the affected area had contributed to a disruption of the water supply system

News source:

IRIN, DAR ES SALAAM, 2 June 2009