Cholera death toll in Dominican republic up to 109

CARACAS, August 20 (Itar-Tass) -- The death toll from cholera in the
Dominican Republic has reached 109, the Health Ministry of this insular
state in the Caribbean nation said. According to specialists, the epidemic
of this dangerous disease has been easing for a sixth consecutive week and
the total number of Dominicans who have had cholera is almost 16 thousand.
Epidemiologists say that during this week new cases were recorded
mainly in the central part of the Dominican Republic. The Health Ministry
pointed out that preventive measures would be strengthened throughout the
country in connection with the start of the hurricane season, which poses
a serious threat to the Dominicans every year. Doctors urge people to stay
on guard and strictly adhere to the standard set of preventive measures,
to scrupulously abide by hygiene rules and consume only safe pre-tested
drinking water.
Cholera spread to the Dominican Republic from neighboring Haiti, where
there have been almost 400 thousand cases since last October. Nearly six
thousand Haitians died in the epidemic.