Afghan cholera 'under control'

The World Health Organisation says an outbreak of cholera in northern Afghanistan has been brought under control.

At least 15 people died out of more than 800 who were taken ill.

The outbreak began in the province of Samargan late last month and spread further north to the city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

A camp nearby for thousands of refugees displaced by the Afghan civil war was not affected.

A WHO spokeswoman said international health workers toured towns and villages issuing warnings for water to be boiled, and chlorinating wells.

A special cholera clinic set up by the charity, Medecins Sans Frontiers, near Mazar-e-Shair is to be closed tomorrow Saturday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service