Diarrhea claims 20 lives in Nigeria

Nigeria's Rivers State government Wednesday said 20 persons have been died from acute diarrhea.

Abuja: Nigeria's Rivers State government on Wednesday said 20 persons have been died from acute diarrhea.

Sampsom Parker, the state's commissioner for health, confirmed the situation in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Xinhua reported.

A total of about 171 cases have also been recorded following the Jan 5 outbreak of cholera in the area, the health official added.

The commissioner, who assured members of the public of government's determination to curtail the spread of the disease, said two treatment centers have been set up in two of the worst hit communities.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to serious dehydration and prove fatal if not properly treated.