Sudan deaths

AN outbreak of a parasitic tropical disease has killed more than 300 people in Southern Sudan and the worst of the health crisis is yet to come, officials said yesterday.

The World Health Organisation said the outbreak of kala azar began in September 2009 and has intensified in recent months. More than 7,000 cases have been reported this year.

The parasite that causes the disease, Leishmania donovani, is transmitted through sand flies and attacks the internal organs.