July 1, 2002

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) -- At least 62 people have died of cholera in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado since the latest outbreak of the disease in February, health officials said Monday. Local health authorities worried that the epidemic could spread to other provinces. Special centers have been set up to cope with the sick. Officials blame the outbreak of the disease on inadequate access to clean drinking water.

The epidemic, which began last August in the central Zambezia province, has killed more than 200 people and infected over 15,000. More than 1,000 people died in a cholera epidemic in Mozambique two years ago.