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The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed alarm over the cholera epidemic in Africa in a statement. 

Across the continent, cases in January were 30 percent higher than in all of last year.

Most of the new infections and deaths have been recorded in Malawi, which earlier announced its worst outbreak in 20 years.

A total of 10 African countries are affected by cholera.

Over 500 people have died of cholera in Haiti in recent months

Cholera is a bacterial infection that spreads through contaminated water.

It is manifested by fever and severe diarrhea, which leads to dehydration of the body and has a high mortality rate.

It is treated with antibiotics.

It is especially important not to allow mixing of fecal and drinking water, as well as pollution of water bodies.

In addition to Malawi, cases have been reported in neighboring Mozambique and Zambia, as well as in Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Nigeria.

Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are also responding to outbreaks amid a historic drought in the Horn of Africa that has left millions in dire need of humanitarian aid.