The death toll from Guinea-Bissau's cholera outbreak now stands at 280 and the deadly waterborne disease has now spread to the eastern regions of Bafata and Gabu, according to reports reaching here from Bissau on Wednesday.

A Health Ministry official was quoted as saying on Tuesday that 16,544 cholera cases have been recorded and the worst-affected area has been Bissau, with 60 deaths from over 9,000 cases.

The official said although there are reasons for some "optimism" at a slight drop in new cholera cases, but assistance is still needed to keep the epidemic in check.

The World Health Organization warned Tuesday that this year's region-wide cholera epidemic, afflicting eight West African states,is the worst in years, according to the official.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2005)