LAGOS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of cholera in Nigeria's northern state of Jigawa has killed over 100 people since early July, according to a health official in the state.

Salisu Mu'azu, permanent secretary of the Jigawa state ministry of health, told reporters in Dutse, the state capital on Wednesday that the state has recorded over 5,000 cases of Cholera within one month.

"As of Sunday we recorded over 100 deaths in 19 out of 27 local government areas in the state," said Mu'azu.

He attributed the outbreak to widespread use of contaminated water, consumption of poorly washed vegetables, and unwholesome personal hygiene.

He said the state government, with support from UNICEF, have formed a rapid response team to curtail the spread of the disease.

Health authorities in the country had in July reported that cholera killed at least 526 persons with 22,130 suspected cases of the life-threatening and water-borne disease which continues to spread in the most populous African country.

Cholera is a virulent disease marked by a sudden onset of acute watery diarrhea, which can cause deaths due to severe dehydration. Due to a shortage of potable water supply, especially in highly populated areas, the epidemic is commonly reported in Nigeria. Enditem

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