Cholera outbreak continues in Sierra Leone

At least 273 people are dead in Sierra Leone from cholera. The number of cases is more than 19,000, with nearly every district of the country reporting infections. Poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water is fuelling the epidemic, especially in the capital Freetown, which is hardest hit. This is the largest cholera outbreak seen in Sierra Leone since the pandemic hit the country in 1970 and 1971, and the worst outbreak of the disease in Africa this year. There are signs the spread of the disease is slowing, with the number of new cases reported dropping from a peak of 2,000 per week in August, to roughly 100 per week at present. The Red Cross is calling for increased international funding to press the fight against the disease. Listen to our report: