Unknown disease kills over 100 children in Benin

More than 100 people, mostly children aged between four to 17, have died in the past four weeks from a disease yet to be scientifically identified in Benin. The worst-hit area is Dekin of the Dangbo commune, which is situated 50 km southeast of Cotonou, a local private television station reported on Monday. "In the last four weeks, Dekin has reported over 100 deaths which have been caused by a disease that causes the victims to vomit blood and have strange snoring," the television explained. Several people were also reportedly in critical conditions and hospitalized in the local health center which does not have a nurse or a doctor, the report said. "Only a mid-wife is acting as a doctor in the health center within the locality that has over 10,000 inhabitants," the television said.