Dozens of cases of cholera have been reported in Algiers since mid-August. Health authorities, who spoke initially of gastroenteritis, are accused of trying to hide the information from the public.
Forty-one cases have been confirmed in Algiers and its surrounding areas, announced the health minister in a press conference on August 23. One of the patients has died and dozens of others remain in the hospital awaiting test results. The contamination is linked to food and improper hygiene, said the minister, who has ruled out transmission by tap water.
The announcement gives official confirmation to what the medical community has known for several days. “According to the doctors, the test results confirmed at least two cases of cholera in the last four days,” said Leila Beratto, correspondent for FRANCE 24’s sister station RFI in Algeria.
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