Cholera has spread into more Angolan provinces, bringing the number of reported cases to more than 12,000 people and that of deaths to nearly 600, World Health Organization (WHO) announced Tuesday here.

The update issued by the WHO said the epidemic, which broke out two months ago, has extended into northern Malange and central highland Huambo over the past week .

Luanda, where the epidemic first broke out, continues to be the most severely affected place, where 6,140 cases have been reported and 118 people have been killed.

Cholera is a water-borne disease, which causes vomiting and acute diarrhea that can lead to dehydration and death within 24 hours if not treated swiftly.

Source: Xinhua