Cholera outbreak hits Zanzibar, kills 45

A cholera outbreak on the African island of Zanzibar has killed at least 45 people since March, a health official says.

A Zanzibar health official says a cholera outbreak on the island archipelago has killed at least 45 people since March.

Muhammed Dahoma, the director of disease prevention and control at the health ministry, said on Wednesday that 3000 people had been hospitalised with cholera.

The government of Zanzibar has recently taken steps to stem the outbreak, including banning the sale of food and juices in open areas.

The government has also established several camps in the islands of Unguja and Pemba where cholera patients are isolated.

Heavy rains continue to pound parts of Zanzibar, clogging sewer systems and exacerbating the cholera problem.

The cholera outbreak threatens Zanzibar's lucrative tourism industry, especially if it extends into June when tourism season enters its peak.