Mogadishu — Dr Abdinur Farah Mohamud alias Dr Karey, the head of Beled-Hawa district in Gedo region has announced that the district is affected by cholera.

The district, which is next to Mandera town in Kenya has been overwhelmed by heat wave and high humidity, accelerating the clinical effects of the bacterial infection, according to Dr karey.

The highly infectious disease has hit the area hard and so far 24 people have died and many others admitted to medical centres especially the district hospital.

Dr Karey said that the district authorities have been alerted by escalating public complaints of diarrhoeic illnesses.

"Stool sample taken from patients to Kenya has proven the prevalence of cholera causing bacteria," said Dr Karey. The medical office warned that unless the right steps are taken, the district and surrounding areas would be devastated.

According to medical team, the inhabitants of the district and the thousands who migrated to the area for safety have been affected not only by cholera but also by other milder illnesses but with harmful effects.

Diarrhoea and other sicknesses have been made worse by nutritional deficiencies. "It is difficult for many people to resist illness while suffering from nutritional deficiencies," said the district medical officer.