Tuesday, 31 July, 2001, 14:35 GMT 15:35 UK

Cholera outbreak in Tatarstan

Reports from the Russian region of Tatarstan say that cholera has broken out in the capital, Kazan. Reports vary on the number of people affected, but the Interfax news agency said that 33 cases of the disease have been registered. Doctors say that further medical tests must be completed for a final confirmation of the numbers affected. Cholera is one of a number of diseases which have returned to Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Source: Anonymous. BBC World Service, July 31, 2001.